Tuesday, July 13, 2010

ECI Telecom Announces End-to-End 1Net Wireless Backhaul Solution

ECI Telecom introduced its end-to-end solution for packet evolution of wireless backhaul networks.
The company said its key differentiators are the ability to provide a graceful migration from pure TDM to pure packet networks while offering a fully-integrated solution from the RAN through the transport network and into the core over any medium (copper, fiber or microwave). ECI's transport options span DSL, PON, WDM, SDH/SONET, microwave, Ethernet/MPLS-TP and MPLS/IP. ECI will offer seamless interworking fore wireless backhaul across these domains and technologies, including common timing and synchronization for TDM across all its platforms.





As part of the rollout, ECI is announcing various enhancements to its existing gateway and transport platforms, new products in its Carrier Ethernet Switch Router (CESR) line, a microwave backhaul solution, and additional wireless backhaul consulting services.


Key elements of ECI's 1Net wireless backhaul solution includes:

  • 9000 Family of Carrier Ethernet Switch Router: ECI is introducing the SR9600 Series of metro aggregation and the BG9300 Series of cell-site access platforms for providing a converged L2-L3 approach. These offer a bridging functionality for dual support of IP/MPLS and MPLS-TP standards, in addition to a variety of synchronization schemes, circuit emulation for TDM traffic services, and end-to-end management to support both pure-packet and existing TDM services.


  • XDM and BroadGate families of multi-service and packet-optical platforms: ECI is enhancing these platforms with a Hybrid+ suite for native and independent handling of both Ethernet and TDM traffic. The Hybrid+ add-on suite includes independent and native Ethernet switching capabilities, end-to-end MPLS-TP support, end-to-end Ethernet synchronization support, circuit emulation support (CES) and carrier grade management for both TDM and Ethernet services.


  • BG-Wave Series of native packet and hybrid microwave platforms: ECI is introducing new LTE-ready platforms that incorporate microwave radio with full networking and multiservice capabilities, including Ethernet/MPLS switching, Add-Drop Multiplexer (ADM), Digital Cross Connect (DXC) and Circuit Emulation Service (CES) within the same platform. BG-Wave capabilities include packet payload rates up to 1 Gbps, low latency and packet delay variation, and comprehensive synchronization capabilities. The BG-Wave supports native TDM and Ethernet, TDM over Ethernet (circuit emulation), pure packet, and both fiber and microwave in the same platform.


    ECI said it developed the BG-Wave platforms in-house and that it will continue to offer microwave solutions from Ceragon.


  • Hi-FOCuS family of multi-service access nodes (MSAN), enabling operators to leverage last-mile backhaul through DSL and GPON networks over multiple E1 or Ethernet lines.


  • LightSoft unified network management system for graphical automated end-to-end provisioning and management across network layers (microwave radio, MSPP, CESR) and technologies (MPLS, Ethernet, DWDM, Sonet/SDH and PDH). LightSoft's multi-layer interface allows the user to get multiple physical and logical views of the network, facilitating the visualization of connections and correlations between different network layers.


  • 1NET consultancy services, planning services, and network design to assist operators in the charting of their specific migration path, through building the business cases, network design, network audit and traffic analysis and optimization.


"ECI's 1Net WBH approach is to address the main pain points for service providers such as the lack of fiber all the way to cell sites, the need for IP/Ethernet synchronization, the complexity of packet operations, cost-efficient handling of legacy services, and the need for transport-grade packet networks," Alon Moshes, Head of Marketing, Network Solutions Division, ECI Telecom.
http://www.ecitele.com

Calix E7 Reaches 100 Customer Milestone

Calix announced that its E7 Ethernet Service Access Platform (ESAP) has been deployed by more than 100 communications service providers (CSPs) across North and Latin America and the Caribbean.


The E7 Ethernet Service Access Platform is a modular, 1 RU Ethernet box with a 100 Gbps backplane. The E7's two slot chassis supports any mix of GPON, point-to-point gigabit Ethernet (GE) or Active Ethernet (AE), and 10GE transport for business and residential services.
http://www.calix.com

Verizon Prepares to Launch Health Information Exchange

Verizon is preparing to launch a cloud-based Health Information Exchange to help health care providers share patient information electronically.


The Verizon Health Information Exchange, one of the first services of its kind in the U.S., will consolidate clinical patient data from providers and translate it into a standardized format that can be securely accessed over the Web. Participating exchange providers across communities, states and regions will be able to request patient data via a secure online portal, regardless of the IT systems and specific protocols the providers use.


The Exchange will be delivered via Verizon's cloud computing platform. To build out the solution, Verizon named several partners -- including MEDfx, MedVirginia and Oracle -- to deliver key features of the service including: clinical dashboard , record locator service, cross-enterprise patient index and secure clinical messaging.
http://www.verizon.com

BT Wins EUR 173 million with Unilever

Unilever awarded a outsourcing contract extension to BT valued at an additional €173 million. The new deal will see BT accelerate services such as unified communications, messaging, supply chain, wireless technology and agile working in over 100 countries over the next four years.


The original contract, announced in November 2002 and worth around EUR 1 billion was the first comprehensive global telecommunications outsource contract ever undertaken by BT and is one of BT's largest global deals. By working in partnership, BT and Unilever are in the process of transforming Unilever's infrastructure into one of the most modern corporate networks in the world. When the original contract was signed it was one of the largest telecommunications outsourcing contract in UK corporate history.
http://www.btplc.com

ADTRAN Posts Record Q2 Sales of $150 Million, Up 24%

ADTRAN reported record Q2 2010 sales of $150,361,000, up 24% compared to $121,528,000 for the second quarter of 2009. Operating income increased 48% to $38,617,000 for the quarter compared to $26,135,000 for the second quarter of 2009. Net income increased 47% to $27,751,000 for the quarter, compared to $18,839,000 for the second quarter of 2009. Earnings per share, assuming dilution, increased 47% to $0.44 for the quarter, compared to $0.30 for the second quarter of 2009.


ADTRAN Chief Executive Officer Tom Stanton stated, "Strong demand for high speed connectivity coupled with increasing demand for Ethernet services led to our record revenue performance. Our Broadband Access category led this increase achieving 43% growth over the prior year and setting a new record level. This was followed by our Internetworking category which posted 37% year over year growth, also achieving a record level. With this quarter showing growth across all our carrier segments and all our enterprise channels, we feel confident that our industry leading product portfolio will continue to see benefit from carriers and enterprises as they upgrade their infrastructure to take advantage of the capabilities and savings offered by network convergence." http://www.adtran.com

Australian Sports Broadcaster Deploys Juniper

Premier Media Group (PMG), Australia's leading sports producer and broadcaster, has upgraded its infrastructure with Juniper Networks. PMG's FOX SPORTS broadcasts an average of 20 hours of live sports per day to 2.2 million Australian homes through the FOXTEL, AUSTAR and Optus subscription television services.


PMG's mobile production units are running Juniper's EX4200 Ethernet Switches while MX240 Universal Edge Routers are located at its production center to support high-capacity, low-latency IP connections that reduce transmission costs and enable back-end production processes to be streamlined. PMG is using Juniper's Virtual Chassis fabric technology on the EX4200 Ethernet Switches, which eliminates the need for an aggregation layer -- a primary source of complexity in the network. This enables up to 10 interconnected switches to operate as a single logical device.
http://www.juniper.net

AT&T Wins Global VPN Deal with Henkel

Henkel, a leading product distribution company based in Düsseldorf, Germany, has selected AT&T as its lead global communications provider. Under the five-year, multi-million dollar agreement, AT&T will manage the worldwide global network infrastructure supporting Henkel's 50,000 employees in more than 100 countries. AT&T is providing Henkel with a bespoke integrated eBonding solution for Ticketing and Ordering, which is geared at providing improved productivity, flexibility, as well as an increase in the speed and accuracy of their network transactions. In addition to this core networking agreement, Henkel will also have the benefits of AT&T's wireless services in the U.S.
http://www.att.com

AT&T Cites Progress in Conversion to Cleaner Fleet Vehicles

AT&T has deployed its 2,000th alternative fuel vehicle and 1,500th compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle in its corporate vehicle fleet, giving it one of the largest CNG vehicle fleets in the U.S.


These milestones are part of a $565 million planned investment announced in March 2009 to replace more than 15,000 fleet vehicles with alternative fuel models through 2018. Currently, the AT&T corporate fleet includes more than 75,900 vehicles.
http://www.att.com

Atheros and Wilocity Build Tri-Band Wi-Fi + WiGig

Atheros Communications is working with Wilocity, a developer of 60 GHz multi-gigabit wireless chipsets, to build tri-band wireless solutions (2.4, 5 and 60 GHz bands) for the home.


The plan is to combine the ubiquity and coverage of Wi-Fi with the multi-gigabit performance of the Wireless Gigabit (WiGig) Alliance's 60 GHz technology for in-room connectivity. Wilocity's Wireless PCI Express (wPCIe) technology aims to eliminate all data cabling between devices.
http://www.wilocity.com
http://www.atheros.com

OIF Finalizes IAs for 100G Modules and Control Plane Logging/Auditing

The Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) finalized two implementation agreements (IAs) addressing the key electro-mechanical aspects of a 100G long-haul transmission module and control plane logging and auditing.


The OIF 100G Long-Haul DWDM Transmission Module IA provides component and system suppliers with a modular interface approach. Key aspects include; module mechanical dimensions, electrical connector and pin assignment, module hardware signaling pins, high-speed electrical characteristics, power supply, power dissipation, and management interface.


"We expect this to be the industry successor for the 300 pin MSA," said Karl Gass, the OIF's Physical and Link Layer Working Group vice chair. "This design provides for higher density placement on host line cards with a higher speed data and advanced management interface."


The OIF Control Plane Logging and Auditing with Syslog IA defines the protocols, record types, data structures, and fields for log files generated by a Network Element (NE). It also addresses controlling and securing the generation, transport, and storage of log data to provide a flexible logging capability for the OIF's User Network Interface (UNI) and External Network to Network Interface (E-NNI). Version 1.1 of the IA fully conforms to the IETF standards for Syslog and precisely defines a general set of log messages for the OIF's control plane protocols.


"The ability to log signaling and routing messages as they traverse multiple UNI or E-NNI interfaces adds a useful and effective way to help assure correct and secure operation of the signaling and routing entities," said Doug Zuckerman, of Telcordia Technologies and the OIF's OAM&P Working Group chair. "This is an important tool to help carriers deploy and operate control plane technology in their networks."


Both IAs are on the OIF's website.
http://www.oiforum.com/public/impagreements.html
  • In June 2010, the Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) kicked off two new 100G projects. The first addresses the interoperable processing of Optical Transport Network (OTN) streams over a packet switch fabric.
    The second project addresses the important issue of thermal management at the faceplate of an optical communication system given the trend towards ever increasing port density coupled with the increased power consumption necessary to support higher data rates.

HP TippingPoint Wins Security Contract with HHS

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has selected the HP TippingPoint Intrusion Prevention System® (IPS) platform to protect its network from viruses, malware and other security attacks. The HP TippingPoint IPS can inspect network traffic against signatures -- or characteristics -- for known attacks. The appliance also offers vulnerability-specific filters that examine where a particular application is susceptible to compromise, and then blocks all attacks from exploiting those weaknesses. Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.hp.com