VITESSE OUTLINES PACKET SWITCHING ROADMAP
Vitesse Semiconductor unveiled an expanded switching silicon strategy for scalable packet fabrics for core, access, optical and enterprise networking markets.  The new switching ICs, which will use CMOS technology, will build upon the company's existing portfolio of high-performance interconnect ICs to offer scalable solutions for Gigabit Ethernet, 10GbE, OC-48 and OC-192 based platforms.  The designs will integrate all fabric functionality, including queuing, scheduling and switching, as well as serial backplane transceivers, into two components.  As the first step in the implementation of this strategy, Vitesse is introducing a CMOS packet/cell-based switching chipset for the access market.  The chipset is currently sampling.  http://www.vitesse.com
Vitesse Semiconductor, April 9, 2001

• Last week, Vitesse announced plans to acquire Exbit Technology A/S, a fabless semiconductor company that develops high-speed chip-sets and Intellectual Property cores, for approximately 4.4 million shares (valued at $104 million on March 30, 2001).  Exbit, which is based in Denmark, is focused on Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet switching and routing technology. 

AXERRA NETWORKS TARGETS MULTISERVICE OVER IP MARKET
Axerra Networks, a start-up based in Boca Raton, Florida with R&D in Tel Aviv, Israel, announced plans for a multiservice over IP platform capable of integrating leased line, Frame Relay, ATM, circuit switched voice, VoIP, Intelligent VPN and Internet traffic.  Axerra’s AXN Multiservice IP Concentrator, which will aggregate traffic onto core IP backbones, will ensure QoS for new and legacy services over the integrated IP network.  Key capabilities of the platform will include a wire-speed Edge Switch Router, a VoIP media gateway, multiprotocol concentrator features with any-service-any port capabilities, full redundancy and an open hardware and software architecture.  Service provider beta testing is expected to begin this quarter.  http://www.axerra.com
Axerra Networks, April 2001

• Axerra Networks is led by CEO and founder Gil Biran, who formerly served as Vice President Engineering of Rad Data Communications.  The company’s management team also includes Kirk Wrigley (formerly with CacheFlow, Qtera, Argon Networks, FORE), Terence Winsky (formerly with FORE, Newbridge, Nortel), Steve Byars (formerly with Current Analysis), Alik Shemelmitz (formerly with ECI Network Systems) and others.
  
• Axerra’s product development started in September 1999.  The company raised $16 million in venture funding in August 2000.

VIAGATE LAUNCHES ITS VDSL ACCESS PLATFORM
ViaGate Technologies, a start-up based in Bridgewater, New Jersey, began field trials of a high performance broadband access platform for delivering Very high-speed Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL) services.  ViaGate said its 4160 Multimedia Access Switch is capable of 26 Mbps rates over standard unshielded copper wires at distances up to 4,500 feet (1,372 m).  The platform is currently undergoing field testing by the DeKalb Telephone Cooperative (DTC), located in Alexandria, Tennessee, to deliver high-speed cable TV services as well as high-speed Internet access.  Subsequent phases of the test will include the first delivery of broadcast HDTV over VDSL to subscribers in the service provider’s area.  http://www.viagate.com
ViaGate, April 9, 2001

ViaGate’s VDSL portfolio includes:

• a broadband multimedia access switch that supports over 200 digital video channels using MPEG encoded streams. The product accepts digitally encoded video input from an ATM network via up to 12 155-Mpbs OC-3c or 3 622 Mbps OC-12c optical channels. 
  
• an external VDSL modem with an Ethernet, ATM-25 or a Universal Serial Port (USB) interface.
  
• a residential gateway that handles multiple devices such as TVs, personal computers or a network and multiple telephones from a single VDSL line input at the customer’s premises. The unit separates the voice and splits the broadband signal into separate video and data streams while supporting additional telephone channels.
  
• a VDSL set-top box that enables cable TV subscribers to stop, pause, rewind, fast forward and play their choice of movies, choose broadcast video channels or play interactive video games.

AVAIL NETWORKS DEBUTS INTEROPERABLE SHDSL
Avail Networks, a start-up based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, announced availability of Symmetric High-bit-rate DSL (SHDSL) interfaces for its Frontera multi-service access platforms.  SHDSL is a new symmetric DSL standard that supports variable transmission speeds, improved reach, and spectral compatibility with other DSL and WAN services over a single pair transmission using HDSL technology.  Avail's Frontera platforms support SDSL and international standard SHDSL on a pair of ports basis via a software configuration change.  http://www.availnetworks.com/
Avail Networks, April 6, 2001

• Avail's Frontera Integrated Concentration Devices (ICDs) combine features of compact DSLAMs, IADs, and ATM switches to serve clusters of broadband access subscribers in commercial multi-tenant units (MTUs), multi-dwelling units (MDUs), and office park environments.  The ICD connects subscriber DSL and traditional telephony equipment via in-building copper wires, packetizes and/or switches the voice and data traffic through a hardware ATM switch to standard telco uplinks for local-loop connectivity, and performs bi-directional traffic policing functions, preserving service quality across different traffic types even in oversubscribed in-building access networks.
  
• Avail Networks was founded by former employees of the Network Express division of Cabletron Systems. 

COM21 CLOSES MMDS WIRELESS BUSINESS UNIT
Com21 closed its Wireless Business Unit, which specializes in Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service (MMDS) technology and has been a primary contributor to the recently adopted IEEE 802.16a draft standard for MMDS networks.  Com21 had announced in January that it planned to spin off the group into a separate company, but was not able to secure funding for the spin-off.  The business unit had 19 employees in Milpitas, California and a development center in Long Island, New York.  Com21 will focus on its core strengths in DOCSIS, DVB, and ATM-based access for cable operators.
http://www.com21.com/
Com21, April 6, 2001