JDS UNIPHASE TO ACQUIRE E-TEK DYNAMICS FOR $15 BILLION
JDS Uniphase will acquire E-TEK Dynamics, a developer of passive components and modules for fiber optic systems, for $15 billion in stock (Jan 14 prices).  The companies said one of the drivers for the merger is to combine E-TEK's packaging technology and capacity with JDS Uniphase's optical filter capability and supply, which will also enhanced by JDS Uniphase's pending merger with OCLI.  E-TEK, which is based in San Jose, California, offers wavelength division multiplexers, isolators, couplers and integrated optics.  JDS Uniphase, headquartered in San Jose, Calif., and Nepean, Ontario, offers a full range of optical components.
http://www.jdsunph.com   http://www.e-tek.com/investor/pressreleasesinvest/011700.html
E-TEK Dynamics, January 17, 2000

In November, JDS Uniphase announced plans to acquire Optical Coating Laboratories (OCLI), a developer of optical thin film coatings used for wavelength separation. The companies have been involved in a successful contractual joint venture since 1997, under which OCLI contributed expertise in optical thin film technology and products for DWDM applications.

IGNITUS COMBINES SONET, ATM, PON AND DWDM IN METRO PLATFORM
Ignitus Communications, a start-up founded by former developers of the Ascend/Cascade GX 550 platform, unveiled its Integrated Access Switch – a high-density, SONET and ATM edge device designed for hybrid, metropolitan networks.  The Ignitus platform features a 5 Gbps ATM switch offering 32,000 virtual circuits and an integrated 1.2 Gbps SONET cross-connect switching fabric to enable a transition from TDM-to-packet networks.  The box supports port interfaces from DS1 to OC-12 in either ATM UNI or circuit drop formats, as well as WAN OC-12 and OC-48 ring support and DWDM interfaces.  The architecture leverages per virtual circuit queuing and scheduling to yield predictable behavior. It also supports Unidirectional Path Switched Rings (UPSR) for circuit traffic protection and ATM virtual path and PNNI routing for ATM traffic protection.  Ignitus received its primary funding from Lucent Technologies, which plans to market the Ignitus switch when it becomes available in Q2.  The company is led by Mahesh Ganmukhi, former Director of Technology at the Core Switching Division of Ascend Communications.  http://www.ignitus.com/
Ignitus, January 17, 2000

CIELO ATTRACTS $37 MILLION IN NEW FUNDING FOR OPTICAL COMPONENTS
Cielo Communications, a start-up developing optical components, received $37 million in new venture funding to increase its production of Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs).   Cielo, which is based in Broomfield, Colorado, also supplies Gigabit Interface Converter (GBIC) for Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre Channel.  New funding came from Mayfield Fund, Menlo Ventures, Herb Alpert, HarbourVest, Kingdon Capital and J. & W. Seligman.  http://www.cieloinc.com/
Cielo Communications, January 17, 2000

ZHONE UNVEILS ITS UNIVERSAL VOICE GATEWAY BRIDGING VOIP AND VOATM WITH CLASS 5
Zhone Technologies, a start-up founded by the senior management team from Ascend Communications, announced its "Sechtor 300" Universal Voice Gateway for providing Voice-over-ATM, Voice-over-IP, and TDM voice services over any access infrastructure.   The device uses GR-303 signaling to act as an extension to existing voice switches, concentrating voice traffic near the customer while supporting comprehensive CLASS and lifeline voice services.  It can dynamically assign up to 2000 individual calls or DS0s to a Class 5 local digital switch on a call-by-call basis.  The Sechtor 300 also integrates traditional 3/1/0 DACS functionality and also features an integral ATM backplane for gateway services between ATM networks and Class 5 switches. System capacity is rated at more than 4,000 concurrent voice-over-ATM sessions and more than 15,000 end-users.  Zhone's device will also concurrently support VoIP with its TDM and ATM voice services.  http://www.zhone.com/
Zhone Technologies, January 17, 2000

Zhone Technologies was founded in September 1999 by Mory Ejabat, the former President and CEO of Ascend Communications; Jeanette Symons, the former CTO of Ascend; and Robert Dahl, the former CFO of Ascend.  Zhone subsequently acquired Premisys Communications. 

INTEGRAL ACCESS RAISES $35 MILLION FOR PACKET ACCESS SYSTEMS
Integral Access, a start-up based in Chelmsford, Mass., received $35 million in third round venture funding to support is development of its multiservice DSL platform.  The company's "PurePacket" access system supports circuit-switched voice, digital voice (PABX), Voice over DSL and Voice over IP (VoIP).  The company will offer a single- or multi-shelf solution for the Central Office or PoP that accommodates up to 1,000 DSL lines or 500 T1/E1 lines.  The system will support a range of interfaces, including POTS, xDSL, ISDN, DS-1, E1, NxDS-1 (MultiLink), NxE1 (MultiLink), DS-3, E3, STS-1, OC-3, STM-1, OC-12, STM-4, 10/100BaseT and Gigabit Ethernet.  The switch offers TR-08, GR-303, V5.2 connections.  Integral Access claims its technology can deliver 24 voice calls and 512 Kbps of committed data over a T1 line.  The new funding was led by Star Capital Group of Taiwan and supported by early round investors.    http://www.integralaccess.com/
Integral Access, January 17, 2000

FORMER ALCATEL COO MICHAEL PISTERZI APPOINTED CEO OF ACCESSLAN
AccessLan Communications, a start-up offering a multiservice DSL platform, named Michael Pisterzi as its new President and CEO.  Pisterzi formerly served as Chief Operating Officer of Alcatel U.S.A.  Ofer Doitel, AccessLan's founder and CEO, became Chairman of the Board, succeeding Andy Ludwick, former President and CEO of Bay Networks. Ludwick will retain a board position with AccessLan.  AccessLan's PacketLoop products include a multi-service DSLAM for co-location in Central Offices; a Broadband Service Multiplexer; a T1 Service Concentrator; a SDSL Router; and a PL-100 DSL DSU.  http://www.accesslan.com/
AccessLan Communications, January 17, 2000

VINA INTRODUCES INTEGRATED ACCESS DEVICE FOR VODSL
VINA Technology introduced a new integrated access device designed to support Voice over Digital Subscriber Line (VoDSL) services for small business.  The initial of the DSL eLink product will integrate voice and data services over SDSL.  http://www.vina-tech.com
VINA, January 17, 2000

F5 AND TOP LAYER NETWORKS TARGET "APPLICATION BALANCING" FOR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
Top Layer Networks, a start-up based in Westboro, Mass., plans to integrate F5 Network's traffic and content management technology into its switching solutions to offer an "Application Balancing" product.  The companies said their goal is to allow traffic from web and non-web based business applications to be balanced with the same functionality that today's web load balancing products bring to web content hosting .  http://www.f5.com
F5 Networks, January 17, 2000