AudioCodes Debuts VoIP Chip for Analog Telephone Adapters

AudioCodes, Jungo and Legerity introduced a VoIP chip with fully integrated software and hardware reference design for developers of Analog Telephony Adapters (ATAs) and Broadband Access devices for the residential and SOHO markets. In its basic configuration, the Tulip AC494 ATA integrates two 10/100 baseT Ethernet ports and one to four VoIP ports, with two FXS analog interfaces. It can also support various configurations of FXS and FXO ports using pin and software compatible devices from Legerity's VE880 VoicePort Series. The Tulip AC494 ATA is currently available in selected configurations with an estimated Bill of Material (BOM) of under $25.
http://www.audiocodes.com
http://www.jungo.com

Read More

Zarlink Releases Timing-over-Packet Devices

Zarlink introduced its new generation of ToP (Timing-over-Packet) devices specifically designed to transmit timing and synchronization over asynchronous packet switched networks. The devices can be integrated into equipment such as xPON platforms, broadband-DLC (digital loop carriers) and wireless infrastructure gear, to provide synchronization over a packet network.


Traditionally, wireless network synchronization between base station controllers and base stations relied on a T1/E1 synchronization and a standard PLL (phase-locked loop). As wireless operators move to a packet backhaul approach, synchronization will be achieved using alternative mechanisms.


One method has been to deploy GPS receivers and oscillators to synchronize network traffic. However, this approach adds capital and operating expense costs.


Zarlink said its ToP technology allows wireless operators to eliminate T1/E1 interfaces while at the same time achieving better than the G.823/G.824 standard for MTIE (maximum time interval error) and frequency accuracy.


The ToP technology uses a processing engine developed for Zarlink's CESoP (Circuit Emulation Services over Packet) family of devices.
The ToP technology encodes a PRS (primary reference source) clock at the "master" node and subsequently transmits this clock over the packet network within a specific packet connection. The "client" node then recovers the clock through the use of complex algorithms employing a number of field-proven techniques.
http://www.zarlink.com

Read More

Aperto Raises $17 Million for WiMAX Solutions

Aperto Networks raised $17 million in the first tranche of a Series E financing round for its WiMAX solutions.


Aperto Networks is a founding board member of the WiMAX Forum as well as a founder and lead contributor to IEEE 802.16a/d and the ETSI-BRAN standards. Its PacketMAX and PacketWave systems consist of a family of base stations, subscriber units, radios and antennas in 2.5, 3.5 and 5 GHz frequencies for point-to-multipoint and point-to-point deployment.


The funding was led by Canaan Partners and was raised from existing investors, including JK&B Capital, Alliance Ventures, Innovacom, Tyco Ventures, Labrador Ventures, and Satwik Ventures. The latest round brings the company's total capitalization to $94 million.
http://www.apertonet.com

• Aperto Networks is headed by Dr. Reza Ahy, who previously held executive and technical senior management positions with Harris Corporation, Varian Research Center and RadioLAN. The company's technical team is led by Dr. Subir Varma, who previously was Director of Systems Architecture at Hybrid Networks, where he was responsible for its MMDS system.

Read More

Seagate Acquires Mirra for Home Networked Storage

Seagate Technology has acquired Mirra, a start-up providing networked digital content protection products for homes and small businesses, for an undisclosed sum.

Mirra's appliance, software and services provides continuous backup of data from multiple PCs, free secure online remote access and file sharing, and automatic file synchronization across networked computers.

Seagate said Mirra is a perfect strategic fit as it looks to extend its branded offerings and to deliver simple, reliable consumer solutions for safeguarding, sharing and accessing the consumer's digital life.
http://www.seagate.com/http://www.mirra.com/

• In June 2005, Seagate introduced a new 500GB hard drive for DVR and home entertainment systems. It will provide up to 85 hours of High-Definition TV recording, 500 hours of standard TV recording, and up to 10 simultaneous TV streams. Seagate said its DynaPlay Technology fine-tunes the drive's operating parameters for entertainment applications, including performance for uninterrupted digital media, security to enhance fair use of digital programming, and power to give manufacturers more leeway in selecting cost-efficient power supplies and keep internal temperatures under control.



• In May 2005, Seagate Technology, which claims the leading market share position among hard disc drive manufacturers in key market segments, issued a report predicting increased shipments to satisfy the demands of the "Terabyte" Lifestyle. The disc drive industry is projected to exceed $30 billion and 550 million units annually by 2008, according to Gartner Research, up from $21.4 billion in 2004. Seagate alone is shipping almost 10 million more drives per quarter than it did just two years ago. Seagate has driven product innovation and reliability to new heights. Seagate expects to announce additional products in the coming months that will further penetrate the growing CE and home markets, as well as its traditional computing markets.



• In March 2004, Mirra secured $8 million in funding led by Sequoia Capital and included existing investors Venture Strategy Partners and Sunrise Capital. Mirra is based in Mountain View, California

Read More

FCC Moves its Katrina Meeting to BellSouth Facility

The FCC has moved the venue of its special open meeting on the effects of Hurricane Katrina on communications services to BellSouth's Emergency Control Center located in Atlanta. The open meeting is scheduled for 11:00 am on September 15th.


The FCC said it relocated the meeting to Atlanta for the convenience of those testifying.
http://www.fcc.gov

Read More

MultiService Forum's R2 Architecture Builds Momentum

Acme Packet, Convedia, ETRI, IP Unity and Xener Systems are the latest network equipment vendors to claim compliance with the MultiService Forum's (MSF) Release 2 (R2) Architecture. They join Cisco Systems, Fujitsu, Leapstone Systems, Marconi, MetaSwitch, Nortel, Operax and Siemens as adopters of the MSF's Release 2 Implementation Guidelines.


The MSF R2 Architecture provides the essential framework and common semantic for the definition of a multi-service network. Definition of a set of physical architecture implementations within the framework enables MSF members to focus on a common set of commercially viable scenarios. Issues addressed by the architecture include:

• IP core network QoS



• Advanced services



• Interworking with legacy PSTN



• Multiple carrier QoS enabled solutions



• Global advanced services interoperability



• IPv4/IPv6 inter-working where applicable

Compliance with the MSF Release 2 Architecture Guidelines is self-determined by each participating company. MSF members who are able to demonstrate equipment that is compliant with the Release 2 Architecture and the supporting Implementation Agreements (IA's) can claim MSF R2 "compliance" and use the MSF R2 Logo on that equipment.



The MSF Release 2 Implementation Guidelines and a usage checklist can be found online.


A list of products supporting the MSF Release 2 Implementation Guidelines is also online.
http://www.msforum.org

• Several of the MultiService Forum (MSF) Implementation Agreements (IAs) are incorporated into BT's 21st Century Network (21CN) program. MSF IAs build upon protocols issued by standards bodies such as the ITU and IETF, providing practical methods for applying standards to real world networks.

Read More

Level 3 Signs Network Agreement With DANTE

DANTE, a UK-based, non-profit operator of large academic research networks, will purchase inter- city dark fibre from Level 3 connecting the cities of London, Brussels, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Paris. DANTE is also leasing colocation space in Level 3 data centres in London, Brussels and Dusseldorf as part of the transaction.


DANTE is currently building a next-generation European research network known as GEANT2, which will service more than 3 million users across 34 countries.
http://www.level3.com/

• In June 2005, Alcatel's optical gear was selected for GÉANT2, the successor to Europe's current academic research network. GÉANT2, which promises a total network of nearly 500 Gbps, will connect research facilities in thirty-four countries, including major European sites in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, France, Spain, Denmark, Austria, Italy, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Poland, Ireland, Portugal and Greece. The network will deliver multiple, switched 10Gbps links to its major hubs. It will be managed by the Alcatel 1350 management suite and include the Alcatel 1626 Light Manager DWDM platform for ultra long-haul applications and the 1678 Metro Core Connect (MCC).



• Financially, GEANT2 is the result of joint efforts at European and national level. The European Commission contributes EUR 93 million to this project, just under half the total cost. The rest is funded by national research and education networks.



• TeliaSonera has been selected as the major carrier to DANTE.



• The GÉANT network has been in full production service since December 2001. It replaced the previous TEN-155 network.

Read More

MCI Launches On-Demand Storage Service for Managed Hosting Customers

MCI introduced a new on-demand storage service with a pay-as-you-go model, enabling customers of MCI's Enterprise Hosting Services to store critical company information using MCI's new shared, multi-Gigabit, redundant Fibre Channel network.


MCI said it can quickly provision Storage Area Networking (SAN) solutions offering virtually limitless access to storage. The service can be combined with MCI's Smart Back Up and Enhanced Smart Back Up offerings.


MCI's Utility Storage Service uses technology from 3PAR and AppIQ.
http://www.mci.com/

Read More

Scientific-Atlanta Teams with Tropos on Metro Wi-Fi Mesh

Scientific-Atlanta will expand its hybrid fiber-coax (HFC) solutions for cable operators to include Tropos Networks' MetroMesh Wi-Fi products. The companies will collaborate on both strand-mounting, coaxial powering options and fiber converters for the Tropos 5210 MetroMesh routers. These cable-optimized products will be sold through Scientific-Atlanta, enabling cable operators to integrate Tropos' MetroMesh functionality into HFC systems, thereby providing customers with broadband mobility.


Tropos' MetroMesh architecture uses a Predictive Wireless Routing Protocol to allow network operators to quickly deliver city-wide fixed and mobile multi-megabit connectivity for IP- based voice, video and data applications. http://www.scientificatlanta.com/http://www.tropos.com/

Read More