APPIAN PREVIEWS ITS OPTICAL SERVICE ACTIVATION PLATFORM
Appian Communications, a start-up based in Boxborough, Mass., introduced an Optical Service Activation Platform (OSAP) that will use distributed packet switching to deliver soft-tunable bandwidth guarantees, multi-service interworking, and on-demand, end-to-end bandwidth provisioning.  Appian said its OSAP is designed to replace TDM structures with an "Etherband" architecture that lets service providers guarantee bandwidth from 64 Kbps to 10 Gbps per customer, per customer, as well as dynamically modify SLAs as needed on a customer-by-customer basis.  The Appian's system will use proprietary packet switching to provide software definable Guaranteed Bit Rates (GBR) and Maximum Burst Rates (MBR).  The platform will also support IP Class of Service (CoS) based on MPLS, IP TOS (including DiffServ) or 802.1p standards.  Appian plans to introduce an optical access box that integrates into existing in-service SONET infrastructures via DS3, OC3, OC12 or OC48 interface and into new metro DWDM networks via a wavelength at OC48 rates.  The OSAP 4800 a single-ended, point-to-network edge solution deployed in customer locations, controlled environmental vaults (CEVs) or Central Offices.  Field trials are expected this summer.  http://www.appiancom.com
Appian Communications, April 10, 2000

• Appian Communications is led by Mick Scully, who previously headed product management and business development at Wellfleet Communications and Bay Networks.  The company's name refers to the ancient highway across the Roman Empire.

ANDA NETWORKS SECURES $70 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR OPTICAL ACCESS
ANDA Networks, a start-up developing a multi-service/multi-media access platform, secured $70 million in new financing.  ANDA Networks is developing its Universal Access Platform to replace DLCs, digital cross-connects, Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexers (DSLAMs) and Fiber Optic Terminals (FOTs).  Investors include Bowman Capital, Amerindo Investment Advisors, Franklin Templeton and Van Wagoner Capital Management.   http://www.andanetworks.com
ANDA Networks, April 10, 2000

• ANDA Networks was co-founded by Wu-Fu Chen. In January, ANDA Networks announced plans to incorporate Passive Optical Network (PON) technology from Optical Solutions Inc into its platform.  The combination would enable loop-side PON access to the ANDA platform for downstream optical access to users, and GR-303 interfaces for multi-service PON subscriber networks. 

OPTICAL SWITCH RECEIVES $58 MILLION FOR ITS FIBER COMPONENTS
Optical Switch Corporation, a start-up based in Richardson, Texas received $58 million in venture funding for its development of a high speed, uniform, low loss, 1x16 prototype switch component. Investors include ADC Ventures, JT Venture Partners, KMF Partners, Petros Capital, Putnam Investment Management, Tudor Investment and Wellington Management.  http://www.opticalswitch.com/
Optical Switch, April 10, 2000

YAFO NETWORKS RAISES $31 MILLION FOR ITS OPTICAL DISPERSION COMPENSATOR
YAFO Networks received $31 million in second round funding for its development of a Polarization Mode Dispersion Compensator (PMDC), which eliminates distortion of optical signals over fiber optic networks caused by asymmetries in fiber. Lab and field trials are planned for the second quarter of this year.  Investors include the MCI WorldCom Venture Fund, ADC Ventures, Mellon Ventures, Wheatley Partners, New Enterprise Associates, U.S. Venture Partners and Boulder Ventures.  The company is based in Hanover, Maryland.  http://www.yafonet.com
YAFO Networks, April 10, 2000

ACCORDION NETWORKS RAISES FUNDING FOR METRO ACCESS
Accordion Networks, a start-up based in Newark, California received $16 million in its second round of financing from Accel Partners and Crescendo Ventures.  The company is developing a service delivery platform that will inter-operate with a variety of access technologies including xDSL, Broadband, Wireless, Metro DWDM, and cable modem.  http://www.accordionnet.com
Accordion Networks, April 10, 2000

FIRST SPEC PUBLISHED FOR INTERNET PROTOCOL DETAIL RECORDS
The Internet Protocol Detail Record Organization released its first technical specification for technical review.  The new Network Data Management - Usage (NDM-U) for IP-Based Services specification version 1.0 is available online.  IPDR.org includes the participation of 110 member companies representing equipment and software vendors, systems integrators, and IP services providers.  http://www.ipdr.org
IPDR, April 10, 2000

IRONBRIDGE NETWORKS COMPLETES ITS TERABIT ROUTER ASICS ON FIRST PASS
IronBridge Networks completed development of four ASICs at the core of its forthcoming terabit router.  The ASICs, which were developed in partnership with LSI Logic, worked correctly on the first pass.  IronBridge noted that other terabit router vendors have had to re-spin their ASIC designs two or three times, leading to product launch delays.  The ASICs implement many of the IronBridge's patented routing technologies and system functions, including packet forwarding, memory control and inter-board communications.  http://www.lsilogic.com  http://www.ironbridgenetworks.com
IronBridge Networks, April 10, 2000

HYPERCHIP AND YOTTAYOTTA APPLY MASSIVE SCALABILITY TO NETWORK STORAGE
Hyperchip, a start-up developing petabit-class routing based on massively parallel semiconductor technology, signed a strategic development agreement with YottaYotta, another start-up focusing on massively scalable network storage systems.  The company's will develop a Fibre Channel line card to be used with the Hyperchip Matrix architecture YottaYotta said its architecture would eliminate storage controller bottlenecks.  http://www.hyperchip.com
http://www.YottaYotta.com
Hyperchip, April 10, 2000

AGILENT INTRODUCES FULL-TIME, OC-3 ATM PROBE
Agilent Technologies introduced an OC-3 enhanced ATM probe that monitors network traffic at line rate.  Line-rate monitoring provides the ability to non-intrusively process each and every packet or data payload.  http://www.tm.agilent.com/tmo/netmetrix/English/NMX_Press_OC3E.html
Agilent Technologies, April 10, 2000

INTEL ACQUIRES PICAZO COMMUNICATIONS FOR CT MEDIA SERVER SOFTWARE
Intel acquired Picazo Communications, a developer of media server software for IP telephony and other communication services, for an undisclosed sum.  Intel said the Picazo technology would enable its Dialogic unit to accelerate time to market for companies developing communications systems based on CT Media.  Picazo is based in San Jose, California.
http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/cn041000.htm
Intel, April 10, 2000

ADELPHIA TESTS ENSEMBLE’S BROADBAND WIRELESS SYSTEM
Adelphia Business Solutions, the largest holder of most LMDS B band licenses in the US, agreed to test Ensemble Communications’ point-to-multipoint broadband wireless access system in several Pennsylvania and New York markets beginning in April.  http://www.ensemblecom.com
Ensemble Communications, April 10, 2000

• Ensemble leverages a proprietary Adaptive Time Division Duplexing (Adaptive TDD), Adaptive TDMA and Adaptive modulation system for the 10 to 43.5 GHz frequencies.  The solution employs an adaptive modulation technique to optimize range and capacity.  The system is capable of providing burst rates of up to 120 Mbps.

YIPES LAUNCHES METRO ETHERNET IN ITS FIFTH US MARKET
Yipes Communications is beginning metropolitan Ethernet services in Chicago, its fifth US market.  Yipes has previoulsy launched service in Boston and suburban San Francisco, Los Angeles and Denver.   http://www.yipes.com
Yipes Communications, April 10, 2000

• Last month, Yipes secured an additional $77 million in funding from Sprout Group/DLJ, Norwest Venture Partners, New Enterprise Associates, Extreme Networks, Juniper Networks, Intel and other investors. 

CONEXANT RAMPS ITS MANUFACTURING CAPACITY
Conexant Systems completed an $80 million expansion of its gallium arsenide (GaAs) manufacturing facilities, representing a five-fold increase in capacity.  The company cited growing demand for wireless and optical networking products.  http://www.conexant.com
Conexant Systems, April 10, 2000