WiChorus Announces Home Agent for WiMAX Networks

WiChorus, a start-up based in San Jose, California, introduced an intelligent Home Agent solution for providing secure mobile IP address management and subscriber-awareness across WiMAX and LTE networks. The new Home Agent, which represents an extension of the company's Intelligent Core solution, is designed to enable carriers to manage and monetize traffic on their networks. It works in conjunction with a Mobile IP Foreign Agent, such as an ASN Gateway, to ensure that IP-based subscriber stations can roam freely about the network while remaining reachable to other network users at all times. The space is fully compliant with the WiMAX Forum NWG specification, including supporting the unique WiMAX attributes required for interfacing to the Authentication Authorization Accounting (AAA) server.


WiChorus' Home Agent sits in the data-forwarding path between the ASN-GW and the Internet in a WiMAX network, placing it in a strategic location for providing advanced services, such as peer-to-peer traffic management and differentiated QoS.


The WiChorus Home Agent includes built-in content management capabilities for enabling advanced features such as peer-to-peer traffic management, advanced accounting & billing, QoS, and seamless mobility support.


WiChorus said these advanced content management capabilities prevent a mobile network from becoming a dumb bit-pipe and transform it into a smart network.


WiChorus has completed interoperability testing of its Home Agent with AAA servers from Bridgewater Systems and Aptilo Networks.http://www.wichorus.com

• In September 2007, WiChorus introduced a massively scalable intelligent Access Services Network (ASN) Gateway will support open interfaces and provide flexibility for multiple WiMAX Forum profiles. The WiChorus intelligent ASN Gateway sits in the heart of the wireless network, with visibility across all subscribers and packet flows.



• WiChorus was founded Rehan Jalil, who previously served as chief architect of WiMAX for Aperto Networks.

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PMC-Sierra Introduces Controller-Based Encryption Chip Family

PMC-Sierra announced a new family of Tachyon storage protocol controllers featuring its "StorClad" encryption technology and capable of delivering 400,000 IOPS performance per channel. The new protocol controllers with integrated data encryption, the PM8031 QE8e+ for Fibre Channel and PM8002 SPCe 8x6G for SAS/SATA, enable storage OEMs to deliver high-performance secure storage solutions without introducing costly new components or equipment into the data center. The devices could be used in a controller-based encryption architecture that enables full encryption for data at rest at fraction of the cost of exiting encryption appliances.




PMC-Sierra's StorClad architecture supports the IEEE 1619.3 Key Management standard, is compatible with Key Management Servers (KMS) and works seamlessly with key management technologies from partners, such as RSA, to manage the keys and encrypt/decrypt the data through an advanced key management interface.


PMC-Sierra's StorClad storage architecture includes Tachyon controller-based encryption, protocol controller software and an advanced key management and programming interface, supported through PMC-Sierra's Tachyon Software Development Kit (TSDK). The StorClad encryption architecture is scalable to thousands of HDDs and enables the flexibility to encrypt at the Logical Unit Number (LUN), Application or I/O level. It supports multiple servers and encryption zones, and greater than one million keys in a single controller to deliver high-performance controller-based encryption system solutions at a fraction of the cost of using specialty storage appliances or deployment of encrypted HDDs.


StorClad encryption and data security features include:

• Multiple IEEE 1619 compliant XTS-AES encryption engines;


• FIPS / NIST certified ECB-AES encryption mode;


• NIST recommended AES Key Wrap engines for each port;


• Data parity protection across cryptographic boundaries;


• Internal Data Encryption Key (DEK) cache;


• 256-bit encryption keys;


• Write-only encryption key registers;


• Support for 520 block sizes;


• External Key Management Interface and API; and


• I/O protocol independent APIs.

http://www.pmc-sierra.com

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France Telecom's Viaccess Acquires Orca Interactive for IPTV Middleware Leader

Viaccess, a France Telecom subsidiary, agreed to acquire Orca Interactive Ltd., a provider of IPTV middleware and applications, for US$21.4 million.


Viaccess is a leader in the field of content protection, with conditional access and DRM solutions delivered in over 30 countries. Viaccess claims over 1.2 million active subscribers are using its technology worldwide.http://www.orcainteractive.comhttp://www.viaccess.com/en/

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CopperGate Adds Chief Scientist

CopperGate Communications announced the appointment of Dr. Ilan Reuven as its Chief Scientist Officer. He joins CopperGate from Comsys Communications and Signal Processing, a provider of digital baseband IP solutions for 3G cellular systems and WiMAX chipsets, where he served as Chief Scientist. Prior to that, he served as the Chief Scientist of Tioga Technologies, a pioneer in DSL IC development acquired by STMicroelectronics in 2002. Before Tioga, Dr. Reuven held various positions at Orckit Communications, a leading DSL equipment manufacturer.
http://www.copper-gate.com

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Alcatel-Lucent to acquire ReachView for OSS Consulting

Alcatel-Lucent agreed to acquire ReachView Technologies, a consulting firm specializing in service assurance projects for North America carriers, for an undisclosed sum. With approximately 85 employees, ReachView Technologies has offices in Atlanta and Dallas.


Upon completion the acquisition will enhance Alcatel-Lucent's current professional services consulting practice, specifically, OSS/BSS and software integration, enabling the company to deliver advanced service assurance solutions to carriers and industry and public sector customers.http://www.alcatel-lucent.comhttp://www.reachview.com

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LSI to Purchase Infineon Hard Drive Semiconductor Business

LSI will acquire the assets of the hard disk drive semiconductor (HDD) business of Infineon Technologies. The deal covers the assets and intellectual property of the Infineon HDD business, which includes product designs, related software, inventory and test equipment. LSI also will enter into additional agreements with Infineon, including intellectual property, design services, transition services, and supply agreements. Financial terms were not disclosed.http://www.lsi.com

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Level 3's Kevin O'Hara to Step Down

Kevin O'Hara is stepping down as Level3 Communications' president and chief operating officer, effective immediately. The company also announced that Sunit Patel, the company's current chief financial officer, will continue in the role of CFO. The company has terminated its previously disclosed search for a new CFO. Jim Crowe continues as CEO of Level 3.


Neil Hobbs, currently executive vice president, sales and network services, has been appointed to the newly created position of executive vice president, operations. Mr. Hobbs and Mr. Crowe will be assuming Mr. O'Hara's responsibilities going forward. Mr. Crowe will assume the additional title of presidenthttp://www.level3.com

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WiSpry Targets RF Silicon, Adds DoCoMo as Investor

WiSpry, a start-up based in Irvine, California, closed an additional $7 million of Series B financing for its programmable radio frequency (RF) semiconductor products. This brings the total of the Series B round to $18 million.


WiSpry is developing highly-integrated, and cost-effective, programmable RF products for multi-band, multi-standard handsets including tunable antennas and, tunable impedance matching networks. The company integrates a patented tunable digital RF-MEMS capacitor devices in an industry standard RF-CMOS process flow, thereby enabling convergence of digital, analog, RF and MEMS functionality on a single chip.


The funding round was led by present WiSpry investors American River Ventures, Blueprint Ventures, and L-Capital Partners. The company also announced DoCoMo Capital has made a strategic investment in the company. Participating in the round was another new investor, Arkian, WiSpry's Korean sales representative, as well as existing investors, Hotung Capital Management, In-Q-Tel, and Shepherd Ventures.
http://www.wispry.com/

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TI Trims Revenue and Earnings Forecast

Texas Instruments lowered its expected ranges for revenue and earnings per share (EPS) for Q1 2008. The new guidance:

• Total revenue between $3.21 billion and $3.35 billion, compared with the prior range of $3.27 billion to $3.55 billion;



• Semiconductor revenue between $3.14 billion and $3.26 billion, compared with the prior range of $3.20 billion to $3.46 billion; and



• Education Technology revenue between $70 million and $90 million, unchanged from the prior range.



• EPS between $0.41 and $0.45, compared with the previous range of $0.43 to $0.49.

http://www.ti.com

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Extreme Networks Announces Provider Backbone Transport (PBT) Solution

Extreme Networks announced the general availability of a Provider Backbone Bridging - Traffic Engineering (PBB-TE) solution comprised of new software and hardware. The implementation spans from the edge of the network through the metro core. Key components include:

• Software: ExtremeXOS 12.1 software supports PBB-TE functionality as well as a PBB-TE to VPLS gateway capability that allows the inter-connection of PBB-TE tunnels to a VPLS core network.



• Hardware: Two new modules will be offered for the BlackDiamond12800 series switches. One module is focused on the core and the other on the edge. For the core, a new management module, the MSM-6R, provides enhanced scalability for the VPLS network inter-connections, while at the edge the new XM-2HR interface module reduces costs by combining a 10GE port and 10 GE ports onto a single board, bringing the benefits of PBB-TE to a platform suitable for the network edge.



• Control Plane: The third piece of the solution is a strategic relationship with Soapstone Networks to provide external control plane software. Soapstone has completed integration of the new ExtremeXOS 12.1 release supporting PBB-TE in their Provider Network Controller (PNC) software package. This package helps automate the entire service lifecycle by providing state of the art provisioning, monitoring, optimization, and planning software for PBB-TE networks. Combined with Extreme Networks new software and hardware, the control plane component completes the solution.

Extreme Networks said the benefits of PBB-TE include lower CAPEX and OPEX, carrier class resiliency, simplified provisioning and troubleshooting with deterministic network performance and a familiar operating model.


The BlackDiamond 12804R switch with the ExtremeXOS release 12.1 supporting both PBB-TE and the PBB-TE to VPLS gateway functionality is available now. Including the new MSM-6R, pricing for a complete system starts at US $80,000 List Price. The BlackDiamond 12802R PBB-TE edge switch is also available now with list pricing that starts at US $30,000 for a system including chassis, power supplies, fans, ten ports of gigabit Ethernet, and one 10 gigabit Ethernet port.http://www.multidimensionalethernet.com

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Global Crossing Expands IP VPN to Six Classes of Service

Global Crossing will offer six Classes of Service (CoS) -- up from three -- for its IP VPN service.


The company said that by offering six Classes of Service it now gives customers the flexibility to prioritize time-sensitive applications, such as voice and video, differently from each other, while still maintaining overall priority over data applications such as e-mail. Current IP VPN customers will be upgraded from Basic, Enhanced and Premium service to Basic Plus, Enhanced Plus or Premium Plus service respectively, with no price increase.
http://www.globalcrossing.com

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Alcatel-Lucent's Wireless Network Guardian Offers 3G/4G Mgt

Alcatel-Lucent unveiled a mobile network management solution for tracking IP traffic across the many layers of 3G and emerging 4G networks. The Alcatel-Lucent 9900 Wireless Network Guardian (WNG), which was developed by Bell Labs, provides end-to-end, real-time visibility of how mobile data subscriptions and services are affecting the radio access data network.


The Alcatel-Lucent 9900 WNG is composed of two network elements: a wireless network detector, for deployment in the data center, and a wireless network central, for deployment in a network or security operations center. The Alcatel-Lucent 9900 WNG monitors network traffic at a granular level, identifies anomalous wireless behaviors which could degrade network performance and impact subscriber's experience, and enables carriers to strategically use Alcatel-Lucent and 3rd party products to mitigate disruption and optimize networks. The system monitors every subscriber session from within the packet core, and identifies how each flow compares to fair use and contributes to the consumption of constrained resources throughout every element and layer in the network.


The Alcatel-Lucent 9900 Wireless Network Guardian also enables carriers to detect and protect their networks from a new class of wireless-specific denial of service (DOS) attacks targeted at the signaling layer and exhausting RF channels.


Canada's Bell Mobility is the first carrier to trial the Alcatel-Lucent 9900 WNG in a live commercial network. The product will be publicly unveiled at next month's CTIA Wireless 2008 in Las Vegas. Pricing will be subject to network configurations and size.http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

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Huawei Supplies Nearly 40% of China Netcom's Optical Access

Huawei Technologies is to supply nearly 40% of China Netcom's optical access solutions making it the operator's largest partner in the optical field. Huawei said it received the largest share of a recent optical access contract at China Netcom from a field of a dozen bidding suppliers. Under the contract, Huawei will provide its SmartAX MA5600T optical access equipment. The platform has passed the EPON and GPON tests set by the China Ministry of Information Industry and Huawei is the only vendor in China that owns both EPON and GPON network access licenses. To date, Huawei's SmartAX optical access equipment is serving over 400,000 commercial lines worldwide.http://www.huawei.com

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