v6n234, 07-Dec-1999

ALIDIAN NETWORKS COMBINES SONET AND DWDM IN NEW METRO ARCHITECTURE
Alidian Networks, a start-up based in Mountain View, California, introduced a metropolitan optical network architecture featuring the ability to transport multiple protocols in native mode without conversion to a common protocol or placement in rigid SONET/TDM time slots. The Alidian platform will use a multiplexing technology that places packets, frames and cells together on the same SONET-framed wavelength, rather than "burning" separate wavelengths for each. The system will be able to maintain service guarantees, including ATM QoS, DiffServ and MPLS, when traffic of different types and sizes is transmitted together. Alidian will also introduce a WaveSwitch matrix technology capable of dynamically moving services between wavelengths. This would offer the ability to add, drop or move individual services on or off wavelengths at different destinations, creating a mesh topology. Alidian's architecture uses a thin layer of SONET, placing wavelengths into standard SONET frames even though the services within each wavelength are carried in native mode. The restoration capability will provide standard SONET UPSR and BLSR protection in 1+1 and 1:1 configurations with 50-millisecond performance.

Alidian recently appointed Barton Shigemura as its CEO. Shigemura previously served as vice president of marketing for Lucent Technologies' Data Networking Systems Division. The company was founded by Dave Newman (formerly president of engineering at Bay Networks, where he led the Rapid City Communications engineering team) and John Jaeger (formerly product management and business development for Bay Networks. Alidian has raised $6.25 million in first-round venture funding from Institutional Venture Partners and Accel Partners. http://www.alidian.com
Alidian Networks, December 6, 1999

LUCENT AND MOTOROLA DEBUT STARCORE DSP ARCHITECTURE
Lucent Technologies Microelectronics Group and Motorola released a jointly developed, StarCore digital signal processor (DSP) architecture aimed at reducing product development times by 50%. StarCore DSPs use an efficient variable-length execution set (VLES) architecture model that allows up to six executable 16-bit RISC instructions, and two prefix instructions to be issued simultaneously with no alignment restrictions or space wasting NOP (No Operation) padding. The companies said their DSP architecture will enable products with faster data rates, enhanced end user features, and infrastructure equipment that handles more channels in less silicon. Potential applications include next- generation (2.5 and 3G) wireless handsets and base stations, DSL client and central office equipment, and voice over IP telephony. http://www.starcore-dsp.com
StarCore Joint Design Center, December 6, 1999

REALNETWORKS UPGRADES ITS MEDIA DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR 800 KBPS STREAMING
RealNetworks released its latest cross-platform media delivery system, featuring better encoding techniques for higher quality video. RealServer 7.0 delivers up to 250% improvement in server capacity over previous versions of RealServer G2, particularly in the multi-tiered distributed networks of splitters and RealProxy caching systems. RealProducer 7.0 for audio and video encoding uses variable bit-rate (VBR) video compression. A DVD-derived, two-pass video compression technology dynamically profiles input video content and then intelligently allocates bandwidth as needed. The company claims RealProducer 7.0 delivers the quality of MPEG-1 video at half the data rate and delivers true VHS video experiences at 800 Kbps. http://www.realnetworks.com/company/pressroom/pr/99/realserver7.html
RealNetworks, December 6, 1999

VERIO TO INTEGRATE INKTOMI TRAFFIC SERVER INTO ITS PREMIUM WEB-HOSTING SERVICE
Verio, the largest provider of web hosting services by number of domain names, plans to integrate the Inktomi Traffic Server network cache platform into its premium content distribution service. The Inktomi platform is aimed at accelerating Web download response times, lowering bandwidth costs by storing the customers' Web content closer to the user, and enabling a broad range of strategic new value-added services that Verio can offer its customers. Financial terms were not disclosed. Verio currently hosts more than 300,000 web sites. http://www.inktomi.com/new/press/verio.html
Inktomi, December 6, 1999

EXCITE@HOME REACHES ONE MILLION CABLE MODEM SUBSCRIBERS
Excite@Home announced its one-millionth cable modem subscriber, up by 160,000 since September 30. In response to yesterday's AT&T/MindSpring agreement on the principle of open cable access, Excite@Home said that it plans to have a long and mutually beneficial relationship with all its cable partners even after its exclusivity contracts expire. The company argues that issue of cable access be resolved in private business negotiations, not through government regulation. http://www.home.net/news/pr_991206_01.html
Excite@Home, December 6, 1999

Excite@Home Cable Modem Deployments
06-Dec-99	1,000,000
30-Sep-99	840,000
30-Jun-99	620,000
31-Mar-99	460,000
31-Dec-98	331,000
30-Sep-98	210,000
31-Jun-98	147,000

AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES EXPANDS ROUTER PROTOCOL TESTING SOLUTIONS
Agilent Technologies introduced a new traffic generation module for its QA Robot test platform that allows users to evaluate end-to-end routing performance by analyzing the handling of "real world" traffic originating from up to 20,000 different end-user sessions. The QA Robot system, acquired as part of the purchase of Qosnetics by Agilent in September 1999, is a hardware/software platform that provides a protocol test solution for conformance and performance evaluation of network equipment that utilize BGP-4, IS-IS and OSPF. Agilent's new SessionStorm module defines packet contents, packet size, transmission rates and other session characteristics to test router reliability and performance under a wide range of simulated conditions. http://www.agilent.com/comms/QARobot
Agilent Technologies, December 6, 1999

GLOBAL CROSSING APPOINTS AT&T EXEC TO HEAD GLOBALCENTER UNIT
Global Crossing appointed Leo J. Hindery as Chairman and CEO of its GlobalCenter, Inc. Internet services operation. Hindery formerly served as CEO of AT&T Broadband & Internet Services, the business unit responsible for all of AT&T's domestic local telephony, video and data services operations. He had previously been President and Chief Executive Officer of Tele-Communications, Inc. (TCI) before it was acquired by AT&T. Global Crossing is exploring ways to maximize the value of GlobalCenter, including a possible IPO of a minority stake or through a tracking stock in the near future. http://www.globalcrossing.com/pressreleases/pr_120699.htm
Global Crossing, December 6, 1999

CHINA UNICOM SELECTS LUCENT'S GX 550 ATM PLATFORM
China Unicom, one of the two operational nationwide carriers in China, selected Lucent Technologies' GX 550 smart core ATM switch, CBX 500 and B-STDX 9000 WAN switches for its broadband multi-service national backbone. The new network will cover up to 100 cities in China, supporting a range of services, including all ATM, Frame Relay and IP. Lucent's IP Navigator MPLS will allow Unicom to manage and provision IP services on the ATM backbone. Financial terms were not disclosed. Lucent operates 7 regional offices in China, 8 joint ventures and 3 wholly-owned companies. Lucent China has more than 3,500 employees. http://www.lucent.com/press/1299/991206.coa.html
Lucent, December 6, 1999