ERICSSON PRESENTS ITS ENGINE FOR CONVERGED NETWORKS

Ericsson previewed its solution for circuit-to-packet network migration using Voice over ATM.  Ericsson's ENGINE convergence solution includes:

* an ENGINE Core Switch (based on its AXD 301 ATM platform) that scales from 10 Gbps to 160 Gbps initially, and allows further upgrades to 2.5 Tbps aggregate core switching capacities

* an ENGINE Media Gateway (also based on the AXD 301) that concentrates IP traffic from PSTN modems and ISDN onto ATM UNI 3.1 and 4.0 interfaces

* an ENGINE Telephony Server (based on the Ericsson AXE central office telephony switch) that communicates with local switches and access nodes using SS7. It controls all PSTN and ISDN services over an ATM backbone.

Ericsson said its multiservice ENGINE products could be deployed in a "Trunked Network" design in which ATM switches are installed alongside all the transit switches of the PSTN.  This would create an ATM network that provides trunk paths carrying circuit-switched traffic over ATM between transit switches.  Ericsson's ENGINE could also be deployed as a "Switched Network" in which the entire backbone is converted for packet-switched operation using IP and ATM.  All hone calls would be switched in the ATM network, rather than in PSTN switches.

Ericsson estimates a 40 to 50% lower overall operational cost for carriers deploying a converged solution, compared to operating several separate single-service networks.  In January, BT selected Ericsson to supply its converged network solution for its UK inter-city network.  http://www.ericsson.se/ngn/engine/index.shtml

Ericsson, November 16, 1999

ENNOVATE NETWORKS UNVEILS IP VPN SERVICE AUTOMATION SYSTEM
Ennovate Networks announced a carrier-class provisioning and monitoring system for IP Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).  The Ennovate EnSight Service Automation System uses Directory Enabled Management and open APIs in a distributed platform capable of scaling to millions of VPNs.  EnSight provides its Directory Enabled Management using Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), Extensible Markup Language (XML), Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) and Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).  A browser-based interface controls all VPN provisioning, element management and SLA monitoring /performance management.  Ennovate Networks' IP Service Creation Architecture uses a "virtual services layer" for managing large-scale VPNs.  The VPN Service Automation Systems is supported by Ennovate's Envoy 1600, a multiservice edge switch that uses a "High Touch Routing" ASIC to classify and mark IP traffic for differentiated service delivery.  The Ennovate EnSight Service Automation System runs on Windows NT and Sun Solaris and is available now for lab trials.  Ennovate Networks is based in Boxborough, Massachusetts.  http://www.ennovatenetworks.com
Ennovate Networks, November 15, 1999

ENNOVATE INTEGRATES XACCT'S BILLING MEDIATION FOR IP VPNS
Ennovate Networks will integrate IP metering and billing mediation tools from XACCT Technologies into its new EnSight Service Automation System, enabling carriers to implement usage-based pricing models for next generation IP WAN services.  The XACCTusage IP mediation solution sits between the Business/Operations Support System (OSS/BSS) and the network infrastructure, extracting usage data from the physical layer to the application layer for a multitude of network devices.  The data is used to create billing records analogous to the Call Detail Records (CDRs) generated by the telephone switches.  The system will integrate with Ennovate's EnSight using open COBRA and XML interfaces and Directory Enabled Management (LDAP). XACCT Technologies is a start-up based in Santa Clara, California.
 http://www.ennovatenetworks.com/press/release/11_15_99b.htm
http://www.xacct.com
Ennovate Networks, November 15, 1999

ANDA NETWORKS PROPOSES OPEN PROVISIONING STANDARD
ANDA Networks, a start-up developing carrier-class access platforms, submitted a technical draft to the IETF for an Open Provisioning Standard (OPS) that would provide carriers with uniform remote control and monitoring of devices deployed across multi-access platforms.  The company said its OPS offers a set of standard SNMP-based commands (MIB Extensions) to enable rapid remote service provisioning of voice and data services.  OPS would deliver cross-platform functions such as configuration of compression, echo cancellation, IP address, loop gain-loss, etc. of integrated access devices via remote network operations centers.
http://www.andanetworks.com/index2.htm
ANDA Networks, November 16, 1999

COMCAST TESTS PACKETCABLE TELEPHONY FROM LUCENT, MOTOROLA
Comcast is testing a cable telephony solution based on the PacketCable 1.0 specification currently being defined by CableLabs.  The IP telephony over cable trial uses Lucent Technologies' PathStar Access Server and Motorola's Cable Router cable modem termination system (CMTS) at the cable headend.  Motorola's multimedia terminal adapter (MTA) is used in the subscribers' homes.  About 25 users are participating in the trial.  http://www.lucent.com/press/1199/991116.nsa.html
Lucent Technologies, November 16, 1999

CableLabs is working on more than one dozen specifications as part of the PacketCable project, which is aimed at supporting Internet-based voice and video products over cable systems.  http://www.packetcable.com/

Separately, Comcast announced plans to acquire Lenfest Communications, which serves 1.25 million subscribers in the metropolitan Philadelphia area, for $6.9 billion in stock and assumed debt.  As of September 30, Comcast had 112,000 subscribers to its Comcast@Home cable modem service, and 2.5 million homes passed with two-way ready networks.

NOKIA SIGNS DSLAM CONTRACTS WITH CONVERSANT (US) AND KKF.NET (GERMANY)
Conversent Communications, a switched and facilities-based CLEC, will deploy Nokia's ATM-based D50 Speedlink DSL Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) throughout New England.  Conversent hopes to reach hundreds of COs within 3 years.  KKF.net, a German ISP, also selected the Nokia D50e DSLAM for its network, with deployments starting in Minden and Hannover.  Financial terms were not disclosed.  http://www.nokia.com
Nokia, November 16, 1999

E.SPIRE UPGRADES ITS ATM BACKBONE
e.spire Communications is upgrading its nationwide backbone with Newbridge MainStreet 36170 ATM switches and carrier-grade Cisco routers in San Antonio, Philadelphia, and Northern Virginia.  e.spire is also deploying Cisco 6732 Integrated Access Devices (IADs) with its voice switches.  e.spire operates 38 local area fiber-optic networks, including three new ones in the Tier-1 markets of New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC.  As of September 30, 1999, e.spire's network consisted of 28 Lucent 5ESS voice switches, more than 179,900 fiber miles, 3,800 route miles, 110 co-locations and 4,145 on-net buildings.  http://www.espire.net/press/press.cfm?PressReleaseID=140
e.spire, November 16, 1999

DATA CONNECTION OFFERS MPLS SOURCE CODE
Data Connection Limited (DCL) announced Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) source code supporting Resource Reservation Protocol (RSVP), Constraint-based Routing Label Distribution Protocol (CR-LDP) and Label Distribution Protocol (LDP).  The software uses the same N-BASE communications execution environment as DCL's ATM and SS7 products.  DCL is headquartered in London.  http://www.datcon.co.uk/mpls/mplsidx.htm
Data Connection Limited, November 16, 1999

ADVA OPTICAL NETWORKING REPORTS STRONG METRO DWDM SALES
ADVA Optical Networking, a supplier of metropolitan DWDM systems, reported quarterly sales of US$7.047 million, up 118% over the same period last year.  Adva's Fiber Service Platform-II is a 32-channel DWDM solution designed for Local Exchange Carriers and city carriers.  The rack-mountable chassis supports a variety of modules for specific network element functions, such as conversion, multiplexing, protection, and network management for point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and ring topologies.  The FSP-II offers transparent "fiber-in-fiber-out" interfaces for FDDI, ATM, ESCON, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, OC-3/-12/-48, STM-1/-4/-16, Fibre Channel, FICON and coupling link.  During the quarter, Alcatel placed its initial orders for ADVA's FSP-II product under an OEM arrangement.  Alcatel will resell the ADVA platform in North America as the 1690 OADM for carrier networks. Also during the quarter, Storage Technology began selling ADVA's WDM products globally.  ADVA is headquartered in Munich, Germany.  http://www.advaoptical.com/
ADVA Optical Networking, November 16, 1999

UPC'S CABLE MODEM SUBSCRIPTIONS REACH 79K
As of September 30, United Pan-Europe Communications had 79,039 cable modem Internet (chello) subscribers, up from 52,677 in the prior quarter.  During the quarter, UPC's total cable TV subscribers increased from 3,823,687 to 5,345,701; and total telephony residential and business access lines increased from 139,218 to 168,108.  UPC's systems currently pass approximately 9.0 million homes; total homes upgraded to two-way capability now stands at about 2.9 million.  UPC also announced the appointment of Andrew Barron to be its Managing Director of Media, a new position created to oversee the development of UPC’s digital media strategy.  Barron formerly served as Executive Vice President of New Media for Walt Disney International Europe.
UPC, November 16, 1999