Apple Introduces 64-bit Xsan Storage Area Network File System

Apple introduced Xsan, a high-performance, enterprise-class Storage Area Network (SAN) file system providing high-speed access to centralized shared data for video workflow.



Xsan is a 64-bit cluster file system for Mac OS(R) X that enables organizations to consolidate storage resources and provide multiple computers with concurrent file-level read/write access to shared volumes over Fibre Channel. Up to 64 video professionals with systems using Mac OS X can simultaneously access a single storage volume that supports multiple high-bandwidth video streams for efficient workflow in video and film editing, audio editing and effects, and motion graphics creation. http://www.apple.com/xsan

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eyeP Media Provides Voice Streaming for BT Communicator

Swiss-based software specialist eyeP Media is supplying the voice streaming technology used in the forthcoming BT Communicator service.



BT Communicator is an integrated call management application aimed at mainstream consumers. The application, which will include VoIP capabilities, takes the features and functionality of Yahoo! Messenger and integrates telephony capabilities, such as PC to phone calling, Internet call waiting, directory lookup, etc. All calls made using Yahoo! Messenger with BT Communicator will be billed directly to the customer's home phone bill. The application enables users to manage all their communications - phone calls, emails, instant messaging and text messages - together in one place. BT Communicator will be made available for trial in May. http://www.eyepmedia.com

• eyeP Media offers softphone applications including Web Dialers, downloadable Desktop Dialers as well as softphone Software Development Kits for VoIP. The company's IP Media Server Software Development Kit enables enhanced services such as Interactive Voice Response (IVR), Unified Messaging, Conferencing and Voice Web Browsing over a VoIP network.



• In January 2004, eyeP Media S.A. announced that it had received $2million in its first round of financing. The lead investor was Endeavour LP and the funding included other private investors.

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China's Great Wall Broadband Deploys WWP

China's Great Wall Broadband Network Service Co. Ltd. (GWBN) is deploying World Wide Packets' active Ethernet access solution to deliver fully symmetrical 100 Mbps or 1 Gbps dedicated bandwidth to its subscribers. World Wide Packets is working with Alliance Digital, a China-focused telecommunications business development services company, on the project. Financial terms were not disclosed.



GWBN, a joint venture of Great Computer Group and Citic Group, has 5 regional branch companies in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Wuhan and Chengduhttp://www.worldwidepackets.comwww.alliance-digital.com

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MeshNetworks Signs with Japan's ITOCHU

MeshNetworks Inc. will license its wireless networking technology to ITOCHU which will then sublicense the technology to MeshNetworks Japan, a Japanese OEM established by ITOCHU. The companies said wireless mesh technology makes an ideal fit for Japan's Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) initiative, which seeks to merge high-speed communications with mass transportation and traffic management. ITOCHU has been performing on-the-ground technical product testing in the Tokyo metropolitan area for a project that examines the sustainability of communications during natural disasters.



ITOCHU made a strategic investment in MeshNetworks' 2003 Series C round of fundinghttp://www.meshnetworks.comhttp://www.itochu.net/

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MeshNetworks to Link Info-Terminals at 2008 Olympics in Beijing

Capinfo Company Limited, the designated provider of telecommunications solutions for the Beijing Olympics in 2008, has acquired an OEM license for MeshNetworks' wireless networking products. Capinfo will be developing and deploying MEA based products as a key part of the Digital Beijing initiative. The initial focus is on installing MEA wireless technology and chipsets in up to 5,000 interactive information kiosks throughout Beijing, allowing residents and visitors to get real-time information and Olympic highlights throughout the city. Capinfo, which is publicly traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and primarily owned by the Beijing Municipal Government, has already undertaken the operation and maintenance of many major city and Olympic information-oriented projects in Beijing. http://www.meshnetworks.com

• MeshNetworks was founded by Milcom Technologies to commercialize wireless technology developed for the Department of Defense for a battlefield handheld terminal supporting voice, data and video communications.

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Leitch to Acquire Videotek for Test and Measurement

Leitch Technology, a supplier of high-performance video systems for the professional television industry, agreed to acquire Videotek, a privately company specializing in test and measurement products, for $18 million in cash. Videotek's portfolio includes video test and measurement equipment, video demodulators, routing switchers, color correctors and processors. Leitch offers content production, storage, processing, transmission and monitoring products.



Leitch said the acquisition extends its position in the market to enable truly Integrated Content Environments (ICE) that streamline workflow for broadcast and media companies. http://www.leitch.comhttp://www.videotek.com

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China Unicom Activates Cable Linking Mongolia and Russia

China Unicom has activated a new optical cable linking China, Mongolia and Russia. The SDH network spans 7,500 km and is said to be the shortest terrestrial cable link between mainland Europe and Asia. Initial capacity is 622 Mbps. http://www.chinaunicom.com.cn/

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tel(x) and LINX Announce Trans-Atlantic Virtual Presence for Peering

tel(x), New York's first and largest core interconnection facility, announced a partnership with LINX, Europe's largest Internet exchange point, to improve the speed and reliability of the Internet across the Atlantic.



Under their signed agreement, over 150 network providers who have a network presence at the tel(x) facility at 60 Hudson Street in NYC, can now establish a "virtual presence" at the London Internet Exchange (LINX). This allows many of tel(x) customers the ability to participate within one of the world's largest exchange points, where 140 Internet service providers (ISPs) and others exchange traffic between their networks.



Likewise, LINX members can now establish a point of presence at tel(x), New York's largest communications' network gateway, using the trans-Atlantic connections of tel(x) customers. Many of the tel(x) long-haul service providers are also existing LINX members, who can offer "tunneled," totally secure connections needed for an American ISP to establish a virtual presence in London.www.telx.comhttp://www.linx.net

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Pennsylvania Abstains from VoIP Regulations

The Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission voted 5-0 to refrain from subjecting VoIP services to regulation and to monitor developments at the FCC prior to making any conclusions concerning the Commission's jurisdiction over VoIP services. The vote heralded the conclusion of a year-long proceeding investigating VoIP services. The motion also directs staff to continue to monitor the VoIP issues at the state and federal levels to make ongoing recommendations to the Commission.



Expressing strong support for the vote, Jeffrey A. Citron, chairman & CEO of Vonage, said "We urge other states to follow the bold leadership of Florida, Colorado and now Pennsylvania to foster competition through a wait-and-see approach to regulation, enabling the FCC and Congress to do their respective jobs before any premature conclusions can be drawn at the state level."http://www.vonage.com/

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Telco Systems Introduces Switch for Aggregating Network Element Alarms

Telco Systems introduced its T5 Compact Target Identifier (T5 Compact TID) switch designed to held carriers conserve valuable IP addresses. The single rack unit switch aggregates the management of up to 480 network elements (NEs) through a single IP address using the Bellcore Translation Language 1 (TL1) protocol for Central Office management. The switch supports 48 fixed 10/100Base TX ports, and is NEBS certified with internal redundant power supplies.



The T5 Compact TID was developed out of a specific request from an RBOC to resolve the issue of exhausting IP addresses in Central Offices due to the ongoing deployment of new network elements.



Within a typical carrier's network, there is a central NOC that has responsibility for monitoring all equipment within a specified network. Typically, in order to communicate with a specific network element, each device has a dedicated IP address. As the number of network elements increase, alarm monitoring of the devices can become a cumbersome management problem due to the amount of equipment and cabling needed to accommodate a large and growing number of IP addresses. Telco Systems said its T5 Compact TID solves this problem. http://www.telco.com

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CableLabs Certifies DOCSIS 2.0 Modems, Plant Monitoring Device

CableLabs awarded certified status to 8 more DOCSIS 2.0 modems and re-certified two additional DOCSIS 2.0 modems. The following companies: Ambit, Askey, Castlenet, Shenzhen Coship, Motorola (3 modems), and Thomson, achieved certified status for DOCSIS 2.0. Castlenet and Motorola were recertified for DOCSIS 2.0 products.



In addition, CableLabs announced the following companies were certified for DOCSIS 1.1:
Electroline and Toshiba (2 modems). Thomson received DOCSIS 1.0 certification for a modem as well.



The Electroline submission uses DOCSIS protocols as the platform to monitor the on-line status of active network components, such as amplifiers. http://www.cablelabs.com

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Juniper Completes Acquisition of NetScreen

Juniper Networks completed its acquisition of NetScreen Technologies.



Juniper Networks also announced that Frank J. Marshall has been appointed to its board of directors, replacing Vinod Khosla, who has been a significant contributor to the board of directors since 1996. http://www.juniper.net

• On 09-Feb-2004, Juniper Networks first announced plans to acquire to NetScreen Technologies in a stock for stock merger valued at approximately $4 billion based on closing stock prices for 06-Feb-2004. NetScreen is a provider of network security and access solutions for enterprises and carriers. Its high-performance platforms provide multiple layers of network and application-level protection. The deal requires approval by the stockholders of both companies and by regulatory authorities. Both companies are based in Sunnyvale, California.

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IDT Acquires Zettacom for Advanced Switching

IDT announced plans to acquire ZettaCom, a start-up based in Santa Clara, California that developed a terabit-class hybrid switching fabric and companion OC-192 traffic manager silicon. The deal was valued at approximately $35 million in cash and is expected to close by the end of April.



ZettaCom will form the basis of a new serial switching division at IDT which will develop standards-based products based on Advanced Switching and PCI Express architectures. Daryn Lau, former ZettaCom CEO and president, will head up the new serial switching division as the vice president and general manager.



IDT said the acquisition would help accelerate the industry's shift from proprietary to standards-based serial switching and bridging semiconductor solutions. The company is in the process of developing its technology and product roadmap and over time plans to add internal and external resources to strengthen the new division. The first series of products will be unveiled later this year.



Advanced Switching, originally spearheaded by Intel Corporation, is an emerging technology for chip-to-chip, blade-to-blade and backplane designs. Advanced Switching was created to overlay the core of PCI Express technology, adding transaction-layer capabilities to enable flexible protocol encapsulation, peer-to-peer transfers, dynamic reconfigurations, multicast as well as other capabilities. http://www.idt.comhttp://www.zettacom.com

• In July 2003, ZettaCom secured $19.2 million in its third round of funding. The round, jointly led by Norwest Venture Partners (NVP) and Investcorp, includes both existing and new corporate and financial investors. ZettaCom has raised $77.7 million since its inception in 1999.



• Advanced Switching is a switched interconnect and data fabric technology based on the PCI Express architecture for joining components and system boards in low-to-midrange communications and embedded applications. The PCI Express architecture, builds on the highly successful PCI standard, is designed as a general-purpose chip-to-chip interconnect technology. It uses the same physical and link layers as the PCI Express architecture. However, at the transaction layer, Advanced Switching is optimized to provide an array of specialized communications features, including high-availability functions, peer-to-peer and multicast networking, congestion and system management, scalability, and support for virtually any networking protocol. Intel said announced plans to adopt the proposed Advanced Switching specification into a wide array of its communication products, including network and storage processors, Ethernet controllers and chipsets that support embedded Intel architecture. Other companies active in this area include Agere Systems, Alcatel, Altera Corp., EMC Corp., Fujitsu Limited, Hitachi Ltd., Huawei Technologies, National Semiconductor, Nokia, Petalynx, OSE Systems, PMC-Sierra, Siemens AG, Sun Microsystems Inc., Synopsys Inc., TeraChip Inc., Texas Instruments Inc., Vitesse Semiconductor Corp., and Xyratex.

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Fujitsu Supplies Optical Core for Verizon's Enterprise Advance

Verizon is using Fujitsu's FLASHWAVE 7600 regional WDM system, FLASHWAVE 7200 transponders, and FLASHWAVE 4500 core transport MSPP system for the nine regional rings in the national network serving its Enterprise Advance initiative. Fujitsu's FLASHWAVE 4500 MSPP platform was also used extensively throughout the network as a Multi-Service Provisioning Platform (MSPP) to provide advanced services, like Ethernet over SONET, and aggregate traffic generated from Enterprise Advance business. Verizon is also using Fujitsu's FLASHWAVE 4500 core transport system, the FLASHWAVE 4300 aggregation system and the FLASHWAVE 4100 access system in their regulated network. The FLASHWAVE 4000 products feature advanced data functionality and traffic grooming to enable a wide range of multiservice solutions for metro interoffice and access applications. http://www.fnc.fujitsu.com

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Alcatel Introduces Open Media Suite for Triple Play

Alcatel introduced its Open Media Suite for delivery of rich media in a triple play service mix (voice, data, video). The Alcatel Open Media Suite is an end-to-end portfolio of products and professional services, encompassing user interface customization, integration with third party equipment such as set top boxes and digital video head ends, as well as facilitating negotiations with content owners and suppliers. The portfolio includes the 5950 Open Media Platform, the 5950 Open Media Applications and the 5959 Open Media Content Management and Delivery system, including the 5959 Open Video Server.



The Alcatel 5950 Open Media Platform is a software middleware platform for managing and delivering broadband applications such as Broadcast TV, Video on Demand and Personal Video Recording, Web browsing and e-mail as well as support for third-party applications, such as gaming. Alcatel supports a choice of head-end, network, and CPE components.



The Alcatel 5959 Open Video Server provides video streaming over broadband IP, xDSL, cable, fiber and satellite networks. The platform supports multiple encoding standards, including ISO MPEG-1, 2, 4, and porting of other streaming codecs.. http://www.alcatel.com

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MCI and Qwest Set Framework for UNE Negotiations

MCI and Qwest Communications have agreed to hold transparent and mediated negotiations regarding access to the public telephone network. These open negotiations will be monitored by Cheryl Parrino, former Chair of the Wisconsin Public Service Commission and former CEO of the Universal Service Administrative Company. http://www.mci.comhttp://www.qwest.com

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Covad and Qwest Sign Commercial Line-Sharing Agreement

Qwest Communications and Covad Communications announced the completion of a three-year commercial line sharing agreement that provides Covad with access to local lines in the seven states within the Qwest region. Line sharing allows communications providers to deploy DSL on the same line customers use for their voice phone services. The deal takes effect in October of 2004 when current federal line-sharing unbundling obligations are phased out. Financial terms were not disclosed.



"Today's agreement demonstrates that the economics of line sharing are beneficial to both parties and that commercial agreements can be negotiated for this service," said Charles Hoffman, president and CEO of Covad. http://www.covad.comhttp://www.qwest.com

• Last week, SBC Communications and Sage Telecom, the third largest CLEC in SBC territory, reached a seven-year commercial agreement for SBC to provide wholesale local phone services to Sage covering all 13 states comprising SBC's local phone territory. The deal is the first to be announced since the FCC's call last week for the industry enter into negotiations to end local access disputes.



• In early March, a three-judge panel in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the FCC's Triennial Review Order with regard to network unbundling rules. Later, all five of the FCC Commissioners signed a letter urging the nation's telecommunications carriers and trade associations to begin a period of "good faith" commercial negotiations on UNE-p resale rates.

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Qwest to Expand Web Hosting Facilities in California and Ohio

Citing growing customer demand, Qwest Communications is expanding its web hosting facility in Sunnyvale, California and re-opening its web hosting center in Columbus, Ohio. The expanded Qwest CyberCenter in Sunnyvale will be adjacent to the existing Qwest facility, creating one large complex for Qwest Web hosting in Northern California. The Columbus, Ohio CyberCenter is reopening to meet growing customer demand in the Midwest and required minimal capital investment because Qwest is using its existing facility. http://www.qwest.com

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FCC Proposes Rules for 3650 MHz Wireless Broadband

The FCC initiated a proceeding to foster the introduction of wireless broadband operations in the 3650-3700 MHz band. In response to requests by wireless internet service providers (WISPs), the FCC proposed to allow unlicensed devices to operate in some or all of the 3650 MHz band with higher power than currently authorized.



The FCC is proposing that unlicensed devices be allowed to operate in all, or part, of the 3650 MHz band at higher power levels than usually permitted for unlicensed services, which should enhance the utility of unlicensed devices and services in rural areas. These devices also would be subject to smart (or cognitive) requirements and other safeguards designed to prevent interference to the licensed FSS earth stations now resident in the band. Fixed unlicensed devices, for example, would be subject to a professional installation requirement and would be prohibited from being located with a defined protection zone surrounding each FSS earth station. Non-fixed, unlicensed devices would be subject to "listen-before-talk" requirements that would detect the presence of any FSS earth station in the vicinity, and make an appropriate decision of whether to transmit and to make appropriate adjustments to the transmit power. Unlicensed devices would also be required to emit a standardized identification signal which would possibly provide contact information, as well as location. http://www.fcc.gov

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FCC Adopts New Rules for RFIDs

The FCC adopted new rules that allow for the operation of improved radio frequency identification (RFID) systems for use in conjunction with commercial shipping containers. The FCC's rules permit RFID systems to be operated on a number of frequency bands, subject to limitations on their maximum signal level and transmission duration. The new order increases the maximum signal level permitted for RFID systems operating in the 433.5-434.5 MHz band to facilitate more reliable transmissions with greater range than the rules previously allowed. The 433 MHz band is available for unlicensed operation in many countries around the world, thus enabling manufactures to produce a single model of a device for use in both the United States and other countries. The Order also increases the maximum permitted transmission duration for these RFID systems from one second to 60 seconds, resulting in a sixty-fold increase in the amount of data that can be transmitted, thus facilitating the scanning of the contents of an entire shipping container. http://www.fcc.gov

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