REDBACK NETWORKS TO ACQUIRE ABATIS FOR IP SERVICE PLATFORM
Redback Networks will acquire Abatis Systems, a start-up developing an IP service creation and management platform, for about $636 million (5.2 million RBAK shares).  Abatis offers a service portal that utilizes XML and is layered on top of a "network aware" service manager with the ability to understand the topology and performance of the transport network. Redback said it plans to integrate Abatis' service creation and management capabilities with its subscriber management and metro optical solutions to give rise to a self-service provisioning model for the new access network.  The goal is to enable network independent, on-demand and pay-as-you-go IP services for voice, video and data.  Abatis is based in Vancouver, Canada. http://www.redback.com/   http://www.abatis-sys.com/
Redback Networks, July 31, 2000

• Abatis Systems was founded in February 1998 by Paul Terry and Adam Lorant, both formerly with Newbridge Networks where they worked on ATM access products.

GIGANET INTRODUCES VIRTUAL INTERFACE (VI) OVER ETHERNET FOR NETWORK STORAGE
Giganet, a start-up based in Concord, MA., introduced a Virtual Interface (VI) over Ethernet architecture designed for significantly improving the performance of network-attached storage (NAS).  The company claims that by combining the high throughput and low overhead of VI with standard IP it is able to double application throughput while reducing to one fifth the computing resources needed to deliver data from attached storage systems.  Initial product plans include a VI/IP 1Gbps Ethernet host adapter card.  Giganet has submitted a VI/TCP proposal to the IETF.  It also formed a strategic alliance with Network Appliance.  http://www.giganet.com/
Giganet, July 31, 2000

• The VI Architecture specification, jointly promoted by Compaq, Intel and Microsoft, defines mechanisms for low-latency, high-bandwidth message passing between clustered servers, workstations, and I/O devices.  Technical information of the VI Architecture is online.  http://www.viarch.org/

ZETTACOM ANNOUNCES SILICON PLANS FOR GIGABIT-TO-TERABIT SWITCHES
ZettaCom, a start-up based in San Jose, California, announced its chipset architecture for gigabit-to-terabit multi-protocol switches with port speeds from OC-12 to OC-192.  ZettaCom's Universal Switch Architecture consists of a "ZEST" switch fabric chipset and a "ZEN" packet processor.  The "ZEST" multiservice switch fabric combines static circuit switching with dynamic packet switching.  It comprises two ICs, one that resides on a line card and support line card speeds ranging from OC-12 to OC-192 (full duplex), and another IC for separate switch card. The ZEN packet processor is a packet classification and forwarding engine that performs Layer 2-4 functionality at OC-192 line rates.  A ZEN - LSP label processor used in conjunction with the ZEN - QM traffic management chipset performs label classification and forwarding along with sophisticated buffer management and bandwidth control for MPLS and ATM protocols at OC-192 line rate. The ZEN - TSP device can perform SONET add/drop and cross-connect at STS-1 granularity.  http://www.zettacom.com
ZettaCom, July 31, 2000

• ZettaCom was co-founded by Daryn Lau, Chris Bergen and Bob Divivier, all formerly with Cisco Systems and previously StrataCom).  The company has received first round funding from Venrock Associates, Norwest Venture Partners and Mr. Wu-Fu Chen.

METROMEDIA FIBER PLANS LARGE DEPLOYMENT OF JUNIPER'S M160 CORE ROUTER
Metromedia Fiber Network plans to deploy 170 of Juniper Networks core M160 Internet backbone router.  MFN is presently installing the Juniper boxes in all of its Internet Service Exchange (ISX) facilities as part of a global OC-192c upgrade.  Financial terms were not disclosed.  http://www.juniper.net/news/pressreleases/2000/pr-000731.html
Juniper Networks, July 31, 2000

ALCATEL UNVEILS ITS CROSSLIGHT PHOTONIC CROSS-CONNECT
Alcatel announced plans for a "CrossLight" photonic cross-connect that would route lightpaths through an all-optical switching matrix without optical-electrical conversion.  Alcatel is promising high capacity levels and a 40% network cost reduction.  Product specifics and timelines were not disclosed.  http://www.alcatel.com/vpr/index.htm?body=/latestnews/31072000uk
Alcatel, July 31, 2000

• In March, Agilent Technologies was selected to provide its optical switch matrix design to Alcatel for use in developing optical network switching elements.  Agilent's Photonic Switching Platform uses inkjet technology to alter the optical properties of a cross-point switch, causing light waves to be reflected down a new path.  The technology uses planar lightwave circuits, in which multiple optical paths, or wave-guides, intersect at several crosspoints.  At those cross points, the light travels through a fluid with the same optical properties as the wave-guide.  When an optical signal needs to be rerouted, a bubble is inserted - using inkjet technology - into the cross point. The bubble displaces the fluid and changes the optical properties of the cross point.

LUXCORE SECURES $10 MILLION IN FUNDING, TARGETS ALL-OPTICAL SWITCHING/ROUTING
LuxCore (formerly Synchordia Networks), a start-up based in Atlanta, Georgia, raised $10 million in venture funding from Metropolis Venture Partners and Delta Asset Management.  The company said it is developing optical internetworking systems that direct voice, data and video traffic across fiber networks entirely in the optical domain without the need for electrical regeneration.  Product plans include reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (OADM), intelligent optical cross connects (OXC), and optical routers (OXR) based purely on all-photonic routing and switching.  Technology specifics have not been disclosed.  http://www.luxcore.com
LuxCore, July 31, 2000

Luxcore was founded by Gerald Ramdeen, formerly of Sapient Corp. and founder of InteliSys Technologica, an early developer of packet-switching technologies.

TIME WARNER OPENS ITS CABLE NETWORK FOR JUNO'S INTERNET SERVICE
Time Warner Cable agreed to let Juno Online Services provide high-speed Internet access over its cable TV network.   A multiple ISP trial is underway in Ohio.  http://www.juno.com/corp
http://www.twcable.com
Juno,  July 31, 2000

CABLE & WIRELESS HKT DEPLOYS CISCO'S DSL PLATFORM
Cable & Wireless HKT had deployed Cisco Systems' ADSL platform, including its Cisco 6260 IP DSL Switch, which provides premium, IP- and ATM-based, managed data, voice and video capabilities.  The network will enable Cable & Wireless HKT to deliver MPLS-based virtual private networks (VPNs), secure firewalls, multicast video, web-caching and voice services.  Financial terms were not disclosed.  http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/146/pressroom/2000/jul00/sp_073100.htm
Cisco Systems, July 31, 2000

FUJITSU TO INTEGRATE GDC'S ATM SWITCHES WITH ITS SONET SYSTEMS
Fujitsu Business Communication Systems will integrate General DataComm's (GDC's) APEX ATM switches with its SONET product line, EA family of ATM switches and F9600 enterprise voice product portfolio.  The companies are already joint suppliers of ATM/SONET solutions to Petroleum Communications.  http://www.fbcs.fujitsu.com
http://www.gdc.com/corporate_news/cni_pr/partners000731.shtml
GDC, July 31, 2000

BROADCOM TO ACQUIRE ALTIMA COMMUNICATIONS - -SILICON FOR LOW-COST, ETHERNET SWITCHES/HUBS
Broadcom will acquire Altima Communications, a supplier of networking integrated circuits (ICs) for low-cost 10/100 switches and hubs, for approximately $533 million in stock (2.5 million BRCM shares, July 28 prices).  Altima's networking ICs are targeted at small, low-cost systems. Its customers include NetGear and other Asian suppliers of Ethernet switches and hubs.  Altima is based in San Jose, California.  http://www.broadcom.com http://www.altimacom.com
Broadcom, July 31, 2000

CYLINK ACQUIRES CELOTEK FOR ATM ENCRYPTION SYSTEM
Cylink Corp. will acquire Celotek, a privately held developer of high-performance ATM network security appliances, for $21.5 million in stock.  Celotek's CellCase cryptographic systems provide transparent Triple DES encryption for ATM traffic at speeds ranging from 1.5 Mbps to 622 Mbps.  The company is based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.  Cylink previously resold Celotek's ATM encryption devices on an OEM basis.  http://www.cylink.com /    http://www.celotek.com /
Cylink, July 31, 2000

ACCELERANT RAISES $15 MILLION FOR COMMUNICATIONS SILICON PLANS
Accelerant Networks, a start-up developing communications VLSI solutions, secured $15 million in first round venture funding from Mohr, Davidow Ventures (MDV), its sole investor to date.  Product plans have not yet been disclosed. The company is based in Portland, Oregon.  http://www.accelerant.net/
Accelerant Networks, July 31, 2000

TERRY MATTHEWS REPOSITIONS TELAXIS AS MARCH NETWORKS
Telexis Corporation, a start-up based in Ottawa, Canada, changed its name to March Networks and completed a $16 million (CDN) round of equity financing.  Terry Matthews, the former founder and CEO of Newbridge Networks, recently joined the company as its CEO.  The company is being repositioned to pursue the emerging market of broadband multimedia service delivery, especially corporate digital video.  http://www.marchnetworks.com
March Networks, July 31, 2000