Agilent Test Solution Verifies Multivendor GMPLS Trial

Agilent Technologies' N2X multiservices test solution was used this week in the industry's first validation of triple-play service delivery over a GMPLS-enabled IP optical network. The multivendor interoperability test was conducted at Isocore Internetworking Lab and showcased this week at the MPLS 2005 public demonstration in Washington, D.C.


Agilent saind its N2X was used for functional testing of the network operations at all layers as well as validating triple-play service delivery. The Agilent N2X was able to emulate the optical control plane to establish the GMPLS network -- as well as verify MPLS-enabled services such as multicast VPN, VPLS, and IPTV -- all in one platform.


Working with more than 11 leading MPLS, GMPLS and optical vendors at the Isocore Internetworking Laboratory, Agilent supported both the triple-play services-over-MPLS and MPLS-over-GMPLS test groups.


Vendors successfully demonstrated the delivery of IPTV solutions across multicast Layer 3 VPNs (mVPN) and virtual private LAN services (VPLS) over a fully resilient IP/optical core.


Agilent N2X was used to verify operation of all network layers from GMPLS, MPLS to IP, as well as the triple-play services' QoE aspects.


Specifically, the N2X was used to signal optical control plane links to establish the GMPLS network using OSPF-TE and RSVP-TE. MPLS services were then established over this network and verified end-to-end, using OSPF, LDP and RSVP-TE. N2X was also used to verify the high availability (state-full failover resiliency) characteristics of the IP/optical core for RSVP-TE and LDP fast reroute. Multicast VPN, VPLS and IPTV channel zapping (latency) were also tested by using the same N2X solution. http://www.agilent.com/comms/n2x

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Intel Releases Host Media Processing Software

Intel released its "NetStructure" Host Media Processing Software Release 1.5 for Linux, supporting up to 120 channels of video for services such as video mail, video color ring back, video caller ID and video portals.


Intel is also releasing a reference design for a Converged Application Platform for the Distributed Enterprise. This design, using processors and host media processing from Intel, allows for the integration of separate pieces of network equipment (routers, VPN/firewalls, switches, and PBXs) into one device.


Intel is also using its host media processing technology to address enterprises VoIP. The Intel "NetStructure" Host Media Processing Software Release 2.0 for Windows and the Intel "NetStructure" Digital Network Interface Boards can be used in solutions for hybrid TDM and IP networks.


Intel noted that is piloting the hybrid VoIP solution at its Parsippany, N.J. site. When the entire New Jersey site is fully IP-enabled, Intel estimates that MAC (Moves/Adds/Changes) costs will be reduced by 72% and floor space for equipment racks will decrease by approximately 89%. The capabilities of Intel's Parsippany VoIP installation include unified messaging, presence, click-to-call, ad-hoc click-to-conference and follow-me call routing.
http://www.intel.com

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Juniper Reports Q3 Revenue of $546.4 million, up 46%

Juniper Networks reported Q3 net revenues of $546.4 million, compared with $375.0 million for the same period last year, an increase of 46 percent. GAAP net income for the third quarter was $84.1 million or $0.14 per share, compared with a GAAP net income of $48.8 million or $0.08 per share in the third quarter of 2004.


"Once again we're very pleased with the results for the quarter, our momentum in the market, and the positive impact we're seeing as a result of our ongoing focus and innovation," commented Scott Kriens, chairman and CEO, Juniper Networks.
http://www.juniper.net

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N.E.T. Sets Sights on Government's Global Information Grid

Network Equipment Technologies (N.E.T.) outlined a business plan to address the emerging, high-speed access requirements of the U.S. government. Working in partnership with Bay Microsystems, the company plans to develop a compact platform with high capacity switching and aggregation capabilities to provide interworking of high speed technologies, including Ethernet, SONET/SDH, Fibre Channel and Infiniband.


C. Nicholas Keating, president and CEO of N.E.T., said, "We have key opportunities before us directly related to our strongest customer base, the Federal government. In the past 90 days, as we've assessed our strengths and capabilities, it is clear that we need to, and are able to, address the emerging high-speed requirements for this important customer. As our announcement today with Bay Microsystems indicates, we will advance our current product offerings for government. Among other opportunities, we plan to provide a secure access solution for the Global Information Grid, or GIG, network."


Some additional highlight's of the company's federal work include:

• US Marine Corps Transition Switch Module (TSM) contract awarded to EDO Corporation requiring approximately 200 Promina platforms at an anticipated revenue of $25 million over five years. The company expects to take its first revenue by the end of its fiscal year, with a ramp in the next fiscal year.



• Successfully completed pseudowire emulation testing at DISA for Promina BBS platform for small sites where IP and ATM requirements can be serviced from a single switch. The company shipped approximately $2.0 million of BBS equipment to DISA and the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) and other Defense customers for Promina aggregation during the quarter. Further testing and evaluation has been recommended by DISA Europe.



• The company's Promina and SHOUT equipment was used to support FEMA, at the highest levels of the DoD, and by various U.S. services, including the Navy, the Army, the National Guard and the Marines, to support the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita response effort.



• Saw first shipments of Whisper, a mobile, secure VoIP gateway built on SHOUT technology, by D-Tech to multiple branches of the Federal government and military.

Financially, N.E.T. reported revenue of $21.6 million for its second quarter of fiscal 2006, ended September 30, compared to $18.4 million for the first quarter, an increase of 17.8 percent, and $31.6 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2005, a decrease of 31.5 percent.


Product revenue was $18.1 million, compared to $14.7 million for the first quarter, an increase of 23.3 percent, and $27.5 million for the second quarter of last year, a decrease of 33.9 percent.


N.E.T. reported a net loss of $5.7 million, or $0.23 per share, compared to a net loss of $5.1 million, or $0.21 per share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2006, and net income of $1.4 million, or $0.06 per share, for the second quarter of last year.
http://www.net.com

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Bay Microsystems and N.E.T Partner on Government Solutions

Bay Microsystems and Network Equipment Technologies will jointly develop a new high speed, multiservice platform to switch and aggregate data at full line rates of 10 Gbps and higher. The new platform will address the Federal government's growing need for secure, high performance networks and grid computing applications. Trials are set to begin shortly with key Federal customers.


The new platform will incorporate a compact design with high capacity switching and aggregation capabilities to provide interworking of high speed technologies, including Ethernet, SONET/SDH, Fibre Channel and Infiniband, providing a powerful solution for secure, mission-critical networks such as the Global Information Grid, or GIG. The product will be delivered in a two rack-unit scalable chassis.


Both companies are long-term suppliers to the Federal government. The jointly-produced platform combines Bay Microsystems' industry-leading programmable packet processing solutions with N.E.T.'s expertise in delivering secure communications platforms. Additionally, Bay brings to the partnership its new 40 gigabit technology in support of the Federal government's GIG roadmap.


The platform is scheduled to be generally available in calendar year 2006. http://www.net.com
http://www.baymicrosystems.com

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Redback Posts Revenues of $36.4 million, up 5% Sequentially

Redback Networks reported Q3 net revenue of $36.4 million, an increase of 5% from Q2 2005. Net revenue was up $15.4 million, or 73%, over Q3 2004. GAAP net loss for the third quarter of 2005 was $8.4 million or $(0.15) per share attributable to common stockholders compared to a GAAP net loss of $12.5 million or $ (0.24) per share in the third quarter of 2004.


"The continued selection of our SmartEdge platform as the intelligent IP platform for next generation services, such as IPTV and Video on Demand by the world's leading carriers gives me a great deal of confidence we have established a strong basis for continued growth going forward," said Kevin DeNuccio, president and chief executive officer, Redback Networks.
http://www.redback.com

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Motorola Sues Former Exec Mike Zafirovski, Nortel's New CEO

Motorola filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois against Mike Zafirovski, who was recently appointed as president and chief executive officer of Nortel effective November 15.



Zafirovski (51) most recently served as president and chief operating officer of Motorola (2002 to 2005). He joined Motorola in 2000 as president and CEO of its Personal Communications Sector division. From 1975 to 2000, Zafirovski held a succession of executive positions at General Electric's key divisions: president and CEO, GE Lighting; president, GE Capital Mortgage Corporation; and president and CEO, GE Capital Fleet Services.


The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that Zafirovski, who resigned earlier this year as Motorola's president and chief operating officer, has breached various agreements with Motorola by accepting this position with Nortel and that this position with Nortel will inevitably result in the use or disclosure of Motorola's trade secrets. The lawsuit seeks, among other relief, an injunction to enjoin Zafirovski from rendering services to Nortel for two years, from soliciting or hiring Motorola employees, and from utilizing or disclosing Motorola's confidential information. The lawsuit does not name Nortel as a defendant, but the injunctive relief requested is against Zafirovski and his employers, among others.


In a statement, Nortel said it intends to pursue discussions with Motorola with a view to resolving the dispute over Zafirovski's appointment.
http://www.nortel.com

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T-Mobile Czech Launches TD-CDMA with IP Wireless

T-Mobile Czech Republic launched an "Internet 4G" wireless service using UMTS TD-CDMA technology from IPWireless. The T-Mobile network will utilize the 1900MHz spectrum that is specifically allocated for the technology and owned by GSM operators across Europe and parts of Asia.


Services are available initially in Prague, expanding to other area of the country rapidly. Service plans start at 699 koruna (US$29) + VAT 19% for unlimited use at 512 Kbps and 999 koruna (US$41) + VAT 19% for 1 Mbps (speeds are not guaranteed). Subscribers will be able to use either the very small external modem or a PCMCIA card for laptop use.
http://www.ipwireless.com/http://www.t-mobile.cz/

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Global Crossing Becomes First "Avaya SIP-Compliant" Provider

Global Crossing announced compliance with Avaya's Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) telephony solutions. GlobalCrossing is a member of the Avaya DeveloperConnection Program, an initiative to develop, market and sell innovative third-party products that interoperate with Avaya technology and extend the value of a company's investment in its network.


Global Crossing's portfolio of Enterprise VoIP Services includes VoIP Outbound, VoIP Toll Free and VoIP Local services. All three VoIP services have been tested and certified as interoperable with the Avaya SIP Enablement Services and Avaya Communication Manager Release 3.0 and Avaya 4600 Series SIP telephones.
http://www.globalcrossing.com
http://www.avaya.com

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Avaya Marks Ten Years Since First Converged Telephony Solution

Avaya marked the 10th anniversary of its first enterprise IP Telephony solution. The MultiMedia Communications eXchange Server (MMCX) was unveiled at a press conference in October 1995 by a division of AT&T that was the predecessor to Avaya. Avaya just recently passed the five-year milestone as an independent company.


The MMCX enabled users to collaborate remotely while also sharing business applications over existing voice and data networks, including switched Ethernet, ATM and ISDN. Each server was capable of supporting up to 100 user clients and 20 simultaneous conferences, and also could assign a telephony number to a workstation to handle all communications addressing.


The MMCX won several awards and was installed in a number of customer locations. However, as a solution it stood alongside the traditional voice communications/PBX system widely used for corporate voice communications at the time. The integration of MMCX code, features and capabilities with those of the DEFINITY communications server became Avaya Communication Manager IP telephony software - a leading enterprise telephony communications application solution on the market today.
http://www.avaya.com

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GM Selects Motorola for Next Gen Telematics

General Motors selected Motorola to provide its next-generation Telematics Control Unit (TCU). Motorola's TCU is currently embedded into more than 50 GM vehicle models and is the in-vehicle system behind OnStar, the nation's leading provider of in-vehicle safety and security services. GM has stated that OnStar will be standard on all GM vehicles by 2007. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.motorola.com

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LG Electronics Launches MPEG4 Set-Top Boxes for DIRECTV

DIRECTV has selected LG Electronics as the first supplier of digital high-definition television (HDTV) set-top boxes.


LG Electronics has begun production of set-top boxes for use in DIRECTV's MPEG-4 HD satellite broadcasts. The agreement also sets the stage for LG Electronics to develop next-generation MPEG-4 HD DVRs (High- Definition Digital Video Recorders) and Home Media Center set-top boxes. Financial terms were not disclosed.


LG's new set-top boxes, which are being sold under the DIRECTV brand name, feature DIRECTV's advanced program guide, advanced security, and protected digital outputs (HDMI/HDCP) with simultaneous component/composite output, as well as a general-purpose LINUX-operating-system and USB port.


The LG-manufactured DIRECTV set-top boxes use Broadcom's MPEG chipset and LG's fifth-generation "VSB" chipst. Views can watch not only MPEG-4 HD satellite broadcasts, but also existing MPEG-2 standard- definition programming and terrestrial ATSC (Advanced Television System Committee) digital HDTV and SDTV broadcasts.


DIRECTV plans to begin offering local broadcast channels in HD this fall in major markets throughout the United States. By 2007, DIRECTV plans to offer more than 1,500 local broadcast channels and more than 150 national channels in HD.
http://www.lge.com/http://www.directv.com/

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National LambdaRail Deploys Cisco CRS-1 Routing Systems

National LambdaRail (NLR) has completed nationwide installation of nine Cisco CRS-1 Carrier Routing Systems.


National LambdaRail (NLR) is a consortium of leading U.S. research universities and private sector technology companies deploying a nationwide optical networking infrastructure.


NLR is using DWDM to provide up to 40 simultaneous light wavelengths, each capable of transmitting 10 Gbps. The Cisco CRS-1 routing systems, which feature OC-768c interfaces and a data plane scalable to 92 Terabits per second, will build on this infrastructure to provide a high-performance, 10 Gbps IP network service.


The NLR infrastructure provides the capability to provision dedicated network resources for production and experimental networks that exist side-by- side yet are physically and operationally separate. http://www.cisco.com
http://www.nlr.net/ess/

• National LambdaRail is using WilTel Communications' OC-192 Optical services to complete their nationwide network.

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Ikanos Reports Quarterly Revenue of $25.0 million

Ikanos Communications reported Q3 net revenue of $25.0 million, a sequential increase of 30% from the $19.2 million reported for the second quarter of 2005 and an increase of 39% from the $18.0 million reported for the third quarter of 2004. GAAP net income for the third quarter of 2005 was $3.1 million, or $0.15 per diluted share on 20.3 million average shares. This compares with a net loss of $844,000, or a loss of $0.53 per diluted share on 1.6 million average shares in the third quarter of 2004.


Ikanos cited growing momentum for VDSL services worldwide.
http://www.ikanos.com/

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Lucent Unveils Multimedia Access Platform

Lucent Technologies unveiled its Multimedia Access Platform, an IP-based traffic aggregator designed for high-bandwidth video/IPTV, VoIP and multimedia services delivered over DSL fiber to the home or premise (FTTx), and/or WiMAX networks. The platform is expected to enter customer trials in the first half of 2006. Lucent is positioning the platform as a key product in its broadband access portfolio and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) solution. Various configurations will be offered for large- and small-scale Central Office, remote, and greenfield networks.




The single frame Multimedia Access Platform is based on the Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture (AdvancedTCA) and an open, Linux software foundation. It will support a range of access blades, including , including ADSL2+, VDSL2, IEEE 802.3ah Ethernet Passive Optical Networking (EPON), ITU G.984.x Gigabit Ethernet PON (GPON) at varying upstream and downstream line rates, point-to-point Ethernet and WiMAX (based on the IEEE's 802.16e standard).


Lucent said the platform's blade architecture will allow service providers to integrate additional capabilities or expand capacity easily by adding new cards.


The Multimedia Access Platform offers up to 10 Gigabits per slot on the IP/Ethernet backplane and a full suite of Layer 2, Layer 3 and advanced packet processing capabilities, including multicasting for video, QoS/CoS, VLANs, ACLs, and security for multimedia network requirements. The platform is also IPv6 capable.


The Multimedia Access Platform will also be integrated with an IMS control layer, enabling advanced application control via SIP. This capability could be used for IMS-to-IPTV interworking.


Lucent is also planning a SmartPON module for the platform that will support both GPON and EPON and can be modified easily to address changes in the standards, new service requirements, different upstream and downstream line rates up to 2.4 Gbps (symmetric), and multivendor interoperability challenges. Lucent said the platform could scale to as many as 288 GPON ports per rack, supporting 18,432 subscribers.


The new Multimedia Access Platform is part of Lucent's broadband access product portfolio, which also includes the Stinger DSLAM and AnyMedia IP Line Access Gateway. Lucent's broadband access carriers customers include Bell Canada, France Telecom, KT, NTT, Qwest, Sprint, Telefonica, Telus, T-Online, Telstra, and Tata, among others.


Lucent said higher bandwidth applications and video services such as HDTV will drive network upgrades and investments deeper into the network. IPTV and IMS will also drive adjacent spending to optimize CAPEX, reduce OPEX and drive ARPU.
http://www.lucent.com

Using the IMS Architecture for Service Enabling Next Generation Networks

To stave off competition, customer churn, and rebound from the decreasing rates for local and long distance service, service providers are looking to evolve or overlay their current networks to enable new revenue generating converged and next-generation services. The IMS architecture supports a wide range of services enabled by the flexibility of Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). It can support multiple application servers providing traditional telephony services and non-telephony services such as instant messaging, push-to-talk, video streaming, multimedia messaging, etc. Here is an overview.

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Merak E-mail Server Released for Linux

IceWarp Software released a Linux version of its Merak E-mail Server suite. The product can be used for either enterprise of ISP email, scaling to 100,000 accounts per server at up to 20,000 messages per minute and even higher when configured for a load balanced operation. Features include anti-virus, anti-spam, groupware, and instant messaging. It provides desktop, Web mail, and remote access for almost every onsite, subscriber, and telecommuting application. All protocols in Merak can run in secured mode, using SSL.


Merak has already been certified for use with Redhat Enterprise Linux, and tested on Redhat Fedora Core and Gentoo. There are also numerous installations on Suse, Mandrake, Ubuntu and Debian.
http://www.icewarp.com

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Cisco to Invest Over US $1 Billion in India

Cisco Systems plans to invest US$1.1 billion in India over the next three years.


The announcment was made during a visit with Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Honorable Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Shri Dayanidhi Maran, in New Delhi, by John Chambers, President and CEO of Cisco Systems.


Cisco's three-year expansion plan in the country will direct investments in the following areas:

• US$750 million will be allocated to research and development (R&D) activities, including training, development and staffing over the next three years. Cisco's own R&D activities will be complemented by work done by Indian strategic partner companies.



• US $150 million will be dedicated by Cisco Systems Capital - a division of Cisco Systems, Inc. - to provide leasing and other financial solutions to Cisco customers and partners.



• US$100 million in venture capital will be earmarked by Cisco to invest in Indian start up companies.



• US$100 million will be invested in customer support operations - a significant portion of which will be allocated for technical services, spare parts depots and channel development.

Cisco first established operations in India in 1995 and today employs over 1400 people in the country in its Global R&D center in Bangalore and offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkatta, Pune, Hyderabad and Colombo, Sri Lanka.


The company also committed to expanding the Cisco Networking Academy Program in the country. There are currently 141 networking academies across 22 States and Union Territories in India and the program will be extended further within each State and Union Territory by 2006http://www.cisco.com

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KyLinTV Stores 15,000 hours of IPTV with PrimeVault

KyLinTV, which recently launched a subscription Web-service delivering Chinese broadcast TV channels and VOD, selected FalconStor Software's PrimeVault facility to manage its content. KyLinTV is hosting more than 15,000 hours of broadcast TV and VOD programming. The company is also adding about 1 terabyte of entertainment content per month.


PrimeVault's high availability network storage infrastructure is powered by FalconStor's IPStor software. PrimeVault is equipped for data protection and resiliency from both a software and hardware perspective. The company said its PrimeVault facility includes multiple security layers, dual power grids and three 1.1 megawatt emergency generators, providing sufficient backup power to keep facilities operational at maximum load, with a smooth transition to back-up power.


PrimeVault resides in 50,000 sq ft of space in Melville, New York.
http://www.primevault.com
http://www.kylintv.com/

• In September, KyLinTV launched a service poised to bring the best of Chinese broadcast TV channels and VOD via web-based subscription. KyLinTV delivers broadcast channels from China's CCTV, as well as movies, to a set-top box using its own video codec. Subscribers receive more than 300 hours of new content every week including the Top 10 movies and TV dramas from China for a $15 monthly fee. VOD titles are extra. The set-top box is free.

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