TI Offers Three-core DSP for W-CDMA Base Stations

Texas Instruments introduced a single-chip, three-core DSP, running at 1GHz per core, targeted toward Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) base stations.



The 3GHz-performing TMS320TCI6488 device is based on TI's TMS320C64x+ platform. The processing power of the C64x+ DSP provides dynamic support of both voice and data transmission with extremely low latency. For example, in High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) applications, the TCI6488 can support 48 users per device in a macro base station system.
http://www.ti.com

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TI Debuts Single-Chip 802.11n, Bluetooth 2.1 and FM

Texas Instruments announced two new devices built on the company's leading DRP single-chip technology designed to drive affordable WLAN, Bluetooth and FM technologies into mass market handsets.



The first product is WiLink 6.0, a single chip that integrates a complete offering of mobile WLAN, Bluetooth and FM, with support for IEEE draft 802.11n.



The second product is the BlueLink 7.0 solution, the latest version of TI's BlueLink Bluetooth single-chip family that integrates Bluetooth and FM.



The FM functionality in both devices delivers FM transmit and receive capabilities, turning the handset into a personal area broadcast device. Both devices are manufactured in 65-nanometer (nm) technology.

http://www.ti.com

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NewStep Supplies FMC Platform for BT Corporate Fusion Service

BT is using NewStep Networks' CSN30 Fixed-Mobile Convergence (FMC) solution for its premise-based FMC service, which combines Wi-Fi, cellular, corporate directories and PBX functionality. The NewStep platform seamlessly transfers calls between cellular and Wi-Fi networks. BT is currently trialing the platform with a large local government organisation in the U.K., and will shortly announce further trials in the UK and Europe. BT expects to launch the service in the UK initially, followed by a phased roll-out across BT's international footprint.



In addition to Voice Call Continuity (VCC) compliant dual-mode seamless handoff support, the NewStep platform supports features such as One Button Transfer, Single Number Service, Automatic Reconnect, Single Voicemail and Voicemail Intercept. The CSN30 provides PBX extension services, so that a selection of traditional PBX features can be extended to employee mobile devices. CSN30 also offers Optimal Call Routing, which helps enterprises and network operators save on long distance, transfer and roaming charges.

http://www.newstep.com

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Akamai to Acquire Netli for Application Acceleration

Akamai Technologies agree to acquire Netli, a global service provider that specializes in accelerating applications and content over the Internet. Under the deal, Akamai will acquire all of the outstanding equity of Netli in exchange for approximately 3.2 million shares of Akamai common stock, subject to certain closing adjustments.



Netli, which is based in Mountain View, California, offers a "NetLightning" service that provides high availability, secure, transparent access to Web applications with global sub-second response times. The service is designed address the problems of performance and reliability for HTTP and SSL based Web applications while enabling consolidation to a single data center for global access.



Netli's service uses the company's globally distributed Virtual Data Centers (VDCs), global DNS redirection and IP address mapping system, a proprietary high-performance long-haul transport protocol and content optimization software. NetLightning customers delegate the DNS processing for a Web application to Netli. When an end user accesses an application, the browser is transparently redirected to the nearest Virtual Data Center, where it is converted from TCP to Netli's long-haul optimized transport protocol. Netli software at an Application Access Point (AAP) converts the optimized protocols back to standard HTTP for the final, short connection to the customer's Web application servers.



Akamai said it will combine Netli's high performance communications protocol with own global scale and its ability to route Internet traffic around points of congestion. This will enable enterprises to improve the performance of dynamic, highly-interactive applications such as customer portals, collaboration platforms, e-learning environments, and business-to-business commerce.

http://www.akamai.com

http://www.netli.com

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snom Updates is Business IP Desk Phone

snom technology AG introduced a new IP business phone that features a larger display area with built in greyscales to provide users with a clearer view and allow for more information on the screen. An expanded memory capacity enables the phone to support more applications, such as presence indication and presence displays of other users. The snom 370 can support several audio devices simultaneously such as the handset, headset and loudspeaker. The multicast paging mode makes it possible to use the phone for large scale public announcements. Updated security features include direct access to a VPN in order to secure communication to an insecure PBX system. The MSRP of the snom 370 is US$280.



http://www.snom.com

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D-Link Ships 3G-Connected WiFi Router

D-Link unveiled a family of 3G mobile broadband wireless routers to create a 802.11g/b-compatible wireless hotspot anywhere within range of a cellular network. By plugging a compatible 3G notebook adapter into the D-Link 3G Mobile Router's built-in card bus slot, users can get immediate access to EV-DO, UMTS or HSDPA networks. The D-Link router can then share this signal via 802.11g/b Wi-Fi technology to notebooks, PCs or other Wi-Fi-enabled devices. The D-Link routers are available in two versions: the DIR-450 (EV-DO) and DIR-451 (UMTS/HSDPA). Both versions offer WEP, WPA and WPA2 security. They also employ dual active firewalls (SPI and NAT) to prevent potential Internet attacks. The MSRP is $299.99.

http://www.dlink.com

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Nominum Optimizes DNS for Wireless Quality of Experience

Nominum announced its entry into the wireless telecommunications sector with enhancements to its DNS foundation engines. These include:

• DNS cache pre-fetching -- Nominum's new proprietary 'smart algorithm' re-fetches DNS information just prior to it expiring in the cache. By pre-fetching DNS information before it expires, networks are more responsive and thus capable of supporting users as they load Web sites with rich and distributed content -- for example social networking or Web 2.0 sites.



• DNS upstream optimization -- Nominum's DNS servers have been enhanced to optimize the upstream traffic to authoritative servers around the Internet. This makes more efficient usage of the carriers' network resources and reduces the negative impact of slow or non-responsive authoritative servers.



• Dynamic DNS (DDNS) performance enhancements -- Dynamic DNS updates enable Nominum's solutions to keep pace in real-time with address changes as mobile devices, such as Internet-enabled smart phones and laptops, come on to or leave the network. By absorbing the load created by new devices that connect to the network, Nominum said its enhanced Dynamic DNS functionality ensures that networks maintain high levels of performance for both existing and new users.

Nominum noted that when benchmarked against BIND, the most widely used open source DNS server, its foundation engines deliver a seven-fold better DDNS update performance, zero packet loss, and reduced upstream traffic by 25%.

http://www.nominum.com

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AudioCodes Reports Q4 Revenue of $42 Million

AudioCodes reported Q4 2006 revenue of $42.6 million compared to $40.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 and $30.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2005. Fourth quarter revenues grew 6.2% sequentially and increased 39.1% compared to the fourth quarter of 2005. Net income was $671 thousand, or $0.02 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2006.



"While overall revenues in 2006 grew over 27% compared to 2005, our networking business continued to show stronger year-over-year growth of over 40% as rising demand for our media gateways and media servers reaffirmed that we are well positioned within some of the fastest growing segments of the telecommunications industry," stated Shabtai Adlersberg, President, Chairman and CEO of AudioCodes.

http://www.audiocodes.com

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TI Announces Carrier Infrastructure Platform

Texas Instruments introduced a new DSP-based carrier infrastructure platform, including silicon, software and reference designs, aimed at switches and gateways for fixed, cable and mobile service providers. The silicon architecture expands on TI's VoIP infrastructure products, offering greater density and the ability to support a greater breadth of applications, like video processing. Target applications include multimedia/3G services within an IP multimedia services (IMS) environment.



TI's Carrier Infrastructure Platform will include a new processor based on the same TMS320C64x+ core that TI uses for video solutions. The second element of this platform includes the company's Telogy voice software - already used by over 80 percent of the VoIP infrastructure industry - as well as a rich library of software modules designed to support the needs of fixed, mobile and cable network equipment manufacturers. The third element of this platform is a fully functional evaluation module. This element allows equipment manufacturers to get to market faster and provides for ease of implementation.



TI said its platform will address a variety of standards and technologies, including those features and functions required for Class 4 and Class 5 replacement, PacketCable 1.5, modem/fax transmission, wireless transcoding applications, wireless media gateways, wireless trunking, encryption, redundancy, diagnostics and service enhancements. TI is also working with key value-added third parties to offer complementary solutions.



The three elements of the new carrier infrastructure platform will sample to targeted customers in the second half of 2006.

http://www.ti.com

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Meraki Raises $5 Million in Seed Funding for Consumer Wireless Mesh

Meraki Networks, a start-up based in Mountain View, California, raised $5 million in Series A funding, led by Sequoia Capital. The Meraki team is developing low-cost, easy-to-install and use, wireless mesh technology that enables consumers to cover their homes, apartment complexes and entire communities with wireless Internet access immediately.



Meraki offers an 802.11 b/g wireless router that simply plugs into a wall outlet and an Internet connection. There are indoor and weatherproof, outdoor versions of the Meraki Mini. Meraki's products are controlled through a simple, web-hosted interface.

http://www.meraki.net

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AudioCodes Adds Video to IMS-compliant Media Server

AudioCodes has added video capabilities into its IPmedia family of IMS-compliant Media Servers (MRFP's in IMS terminology). Audiocodes said the newly introduced video capabilities will enable service providers and network equipment providers (NEPs) the ability to provide integrated video and audio services such as video conferencing, video messaging over multimedia messaging service (MMS) and downloading of video clips and content. It will also allow offering person-to-person and service-to-person video streaming of content among other potential applications.



AudioCodes IPmedia product line of media servers supports transcoding and transrating for many types of end devices over cellular, Wi-Fi, and fixed networks. It offers audio/video processing for the media resource function (MRF) component of the IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) architecture as well as non-IMS applications.



The IPmedia Video supports transcoding, transrating /bit rate adaptation, video re-sizing and video mixing of industry standard video codecs including MPEG4/H.263. http://www.audiocodes.com

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Sophos Launches its NAC 3.0 Product

Sophos introduced its NAC 3.0 platform, a network access control (NAC) solution for protecting against threats posed by unsecured computers. Sophos NAC 3.0 combines assessment and reporting tools with comprehensive policy enforcement capabilities. Organizations can ensure security compliance even before users connect to the enterprise network whether they are logging on by LAN, remote, wired, wireless, managed or unmanaged endpoints. Some key functions include:

• Predefined assessments covering more than 350 security applications and more than 600 OS patches with point-and-click inclusion into policy



• Rapid response to new and unforeseen threats using custom application creation and enforcement



• Reports on the state of endpoint compliance over time, as well as network access alerts



• "Is current" functionality automatically updates anti-virus and anti-spyware applications, enabling administrators to set up a policy once and then forget about it.

http://www.sophos.com

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AT&T Adds Visual Monitoring Tool to Hosting Service

AT&T has added a new dashboard feature to its Enterprise Hosting Service that gives network and applications managers a holistic view of the current health of their hosted environments through advanced graphical monitoring capabilities. AT&T also introduced an enhanced report generator for producing reports on server use that provides a new level of dynamic business intelligence. Both features can be accessed through AT&T's "BusinessDirect" customer portal.



Additionally, AT&T announced an expansion of its supported certified library for products from the industry's leading hardware and software vendors, providing greater flexibility for client's applications requirements.

http://www.att.com

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Firetide Expands its Wireless Mesh Solutions in China

Firetide, a developer multi-service wireless mesh networking technology, reported the rapid uptake of it solutions in China, where it has multiple projects underway, ranging from large scale Wi-Fi networks to mobile video surveillance systems.



The Los Gatos, California-based company recently opened sales offices in Beijing and it has signed over nine business partners in the country, including BoCo, Copia, Castel, AVSun, Beijing Hong Ye Xing, Beijing You Bang Ke Lin, NetCare, Essense Digital, and Synergy IT.



Working with CapInfo, Hunan Copote, FSP, and Huiyuan Communication, Firetide has deployed a high speed mobile video network capable of delivering high resolution images to mobile mesh nodes traveling at speeds up over 90 miles per hour (145 kilometers per hour). Firetide and Beijing You Bang Ke Lin are currently deploying a large wireless mesh network to deliver Wi-Fi access to a large area in northern China.



Firetide also recently announced that it was selected for a nationwide Wi-Fi HotZone for Singapore and an 80 square mile (204 square kilometer) wireless weather forecasting network in Korea. Its presence in China will serve as a launching point for additional work and expansion throughout the region.
http://www.firetide.com

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Meriton and Tpack to Deliver Ethernet Tunnel Switching Capability

Meriton Networks is working with TPACK, a developer of Carrier Ethernet technology based in Denmark, to build advanced packet gateway products that will be integrated into the Meriton Carrier Ethernet Transport (CET) solution.



The companies are collaborating to add Carrier Ethernet Tunnel Switching to the Meriton 7200 OSP (Optical Switching Platform). The result will be an Intelligent Ethernet Gateway (IEG) that will be an optional component of the 7200 OSP.



The first Ethernet tunnel technology to be supported by Meriton and TPACK will be Provider Backbone Transport (PBT), which is currently undergoing ratification within the IEEE under the name of Provider Bridging Backbone - Traffic Engineering or PBB-TE. The Ethernet Tunnel Switching technology that TPACK is providing is also available in a T-MPLS variant, although the Meriton IEG will be initially optimized to support PBB-TE.



"We are excited to be part of this project, which makes optimal use of TPACK's technology and core competency," said Peter Viereck, chief executive officer for TPACK. "It further confirms our leadership in connection-oriented packet transport solutions, such as PBB-TE."



Meriton's CET functionality on the 7200 OSP will be available in the second half of 2007.

http://www.meriton.com

http://www.tpack.com

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Meriton Enters Carrier Ethernet Transport Market

Meriton Networks is enhancing its 7200 Optical Switching Platform with new Optical-Ethernet capabilities aimed at the emerging Carrier Ethernet Transport (CET) market -- the goal is to combine the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of native Ethernet with the reliability and power of WDM.



The strategy is being driven by an increasing need to switch Gigabit Ethernet traffic, end-to-end, across an entire network, for instance, from a video server farm to a Gigabit Ethernet enabled DSLAM of OLT. This would significantly reduce the demand for GigE ports at the metro head-end, and reduce the requirement for a separate layer 2 aggregation platform between the optical and packet layers. Meriton believes that by keeping the switching in the optical domain, carriers can achieve a deterministic QoS, low latency, low jitter approach for switching Carrier Ethernet traffic. Additionally, keeping traffic in the optical transport domain wherever possible minimizes tributary handoff and the number of layer 2/layer 3 hops. The design would allow management of individual GigE optical paths, with point-and-click provisioning, protection, and bridge-and-roll functionality, while optimizing fiber usage.



To deliver on this architecture, Meriton is announcing a multi-phase CET product delivery strategy.



Phase one of Meriton's CET capabilities enables carriers to support high-density Gig E networking within the metro using sub-wavelength switching (SWS) and grooming of nine Gigabit Ethernet streams onto a 10 Gb/s wavelength. The capability of switching a Gig E path within the optical transport layer and maintaining the path throughout the entire network and assuring it with a Service Level Agreement (SLA) makes it ideal for wholesale interconnect services.



Phase two will introduce support for Carrier Ethernet Tunnel switching and aggregation for local handoff. The first Ethernet tunnel technology to be supported by Meriton will be Provider Backbone Transport (PBT), which is currently undergoing ratification within the IEEE, under the proposed name of Provider Backbone Bridging -- Traffic Engineering (PBB-TE).



Meriton's CET solutions deliver the following networking capabilities:

• Wavelength Switching (any port to any port), Sub-wavelength (typically Gig E) Switching (any port to any port), and Carrier Ethernet Tunnel Switching (any port to any port)



• Separation of the service delivery architecture from the underlying transport architecture. By doing so, the transport network is transparent for service creation and modification (e.g. adds, moves and changes)



• Reliable, deterministic, end-to-end connections that can support guaranteed SLAs



• Optimized hand-off of Ethernet traffic so there is less "hairpinning" of traffic to layer 2 switches and the resulting unnecessary consumption of ports on these switches.

http://www.meriton.com

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