INFINEON TO ACQUIRE CATAMARAN FOR 10 GBPS/40GBPS SILICON DESIGNS
Infineon Technologies agreed to acquire Catamaran Communications, a start-up developing silicon devices for 10 Gbps and 40 Gbps applications, for $250 million in stock.  Catamaran is developing SDH / SONET and 10G Ethernet ICs, including a multi channel 10 Gbps and 40 Gbps framer / mapper, as well as a 10 Gbps Ethernet digital wrapper product.  Specific products have not yet been announced.  Infineon said the acquisition would give it a strategic advantage in the high speed line card segment at speeds of 40 Gbps and beyond.  Catamaran is based in San Jose, California.  http://www.infineon.com/news/press/104_075e.htm  http://www.catamarancom.com
Infineon, April 30, 2001

• Catamaran Communications was founded in November 1999 by Venkat Vankayalapati, who previously worked for Raynet (acquired by Ericsson), Amati Communications (acquired by Texas Instruments), and as a consultant for Cyras Systems (acquired by Ciena).  Catamaran's main investors include Telesoft Partners, Redwood Ventures, Storm Ventures, and Anthelion Ventures.

IBM OFFERS ENHANCED NETWORK PROCESSOR WITH BANDWIDTH ALLOCATION TOOL
IBM released an enhanced PowerNP network processor chip, as well as new hardware and software development tools, and communications cores for customized chips.  IBM’s new copper-based NP4GS3 network processor, which uses an embedded PowerPC 405 processor core, provides deep packet processing support for OC-48, OC-12, gigabit Ethernet and Fast Ethernet at media speed.  IBM is working with Cisco Systems to optimize the chip for a future product.  IBM is also tuning its software-based bandwidth allocation technology (BAT) to help service providers manage services running on next-generation systems with PowerNP network processors.  http://www.chips.ibm.com/news/2001/0430_ibm-network.html
IBM, April 30, 2001

COGENT TO IMPLEMENT AURA’S OPTICAL ETHERNET SYSTEM FOR PROVISIONING
Cogent Communications will implement Aura Network’s Optical Ethernet System for provisioning metro Ethernet access over its all optical network.  The system will enable Cogent to deploy managed fiber connections to its facilities-based customers in office buildings across the US.  Cogent has ordered approximately $1 million of Aura’s Radiance metro-access equipment to be delivered over the next 18 months.  http://www.auranetinc.com
Aura Networks, April 30, 2001

• Aura Networks’ metropolitan Optical Ethernet System uses a unique “IP Stealth” protocol for providing carrier-class monitoring and management capabilities.  Aura leverages an Ethernet inter-frame coding technique that takes advantage of the 12-byte Inter-Packet Gap to create a quasi-inband management channel.  The Stealth IP protocol is a fixed length packet of 6 bytes, which is used to issue commands or gather statistics. The Stealth IP packet remains invisible to OSI Layers 2 and above, and because of its 6-byte size it has a higher tolerance to signal noise than traditional SNMP packets.  Aura Networks describes its Ethernet Stealth IP as providing a similar function to the SONET DCC channel.  
   
• Cogent Communications launched its metro Ethernet services in November, promising non-oversubscribed 100 Mbps Internet access capability at $1,000 per month.  The company has a 20-year agreement with Metromedia Fiber Network (MFN) valued at more than $100 million for dark fiber in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Seattle, San Francisco/San Jose, and Los Angeles.  Last year, Cogent awarded a $280 million supply contract to Cisco Systems.

LUXN ADDS COARSE WDM ACCESS SOLUTIONS, SIGNS TIME WARNER TELECOM AS CLIENT
LuxN introduced an optical access platform based on coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) technology, which uses widely spaced wavelengths and uncooled lasers to reduce equipment costs.  The LuxN WideWav is targeted at low-density requirements such as campus interconnections, metro access or smaller metro ring applications.  The platform is divided into two sets of 4 widely spaced wavelengths, providing the potential for an 8-channel CWDM system. In addition, LuxN WideWav offers the industry's first solution with an option for aggregating multiple coarse wavelengths with ITU wavelengths on the same fiber.  Separately, LuxN announced a multi-year contract to supply its WavSystem optical DWDM solution to Time Warner Telecom.  Deployment is already underway in NYC and Columbus, Ohio. 
http://www.luxn.com/pr_WideWav4_30.shtml
LuxN, April 30, 2001

• The LuxN WavSystem platform supports metropolitan Gigabit Ethernet or Fibre Channel over point-to-point, cascaded multi-drop, access ring, and redundant star network configurations.  The system extends to 70 km without amplification and supports fixed optical add/drop multiplexing, optical path protection switching, enhanced remote provisioning and graphical interfaces for element management.  LuxN offers three WavSystem product configurations: a NEBS Level 3 compliant, central office (or POP) platform that aggregates and manages up to 16 separate channels of optical traffic; a smaller, 8 channel central office product that can be used for buildings with multiple tenants or services and a modem-sized, single-channel device for individual customer premises.

KOREAN ISP INTER-EXCHANGE GROUP DEPLOYS ALIDIAN’S METRO DWDM
The Korea Internet Neutral Exchange Center (KINX) has deployed Alidian Networks' Optical Service Network (OSN) 4200 metro DWDM systems to carry traffic between KINX's headquarters and its recently opened network operations center in Seoul.  Financial terms were not disclosed.
http://www.alidian.com/kinx
Alidian Networks, April 30, 2001

• Alidian’s Optical Service Network (OSN) uses SONET-framed wavelengths to transport packets, frames, cells and circuits in their native mode, thereby avoiding conversion to common protocols or rigid time slots like ATM or TDM.  Alidian’s WaveService Matrix technology enables service add/drop functionality.  The OSN 4200 add/drop multiplexer platform supports up to 10 Gbps, or two protected wavelengths, of service-bearing capacity.

VIENNA APPROVES CITYNET’S FIBER-THROUGH-SEWER PROPOSAL
The City of Vienna, Austria issued a license and access agreement to CityNet Telecommunications allowing the company to use its municipal sewer system to build last- mile fiber optic networks. Vienna becomes CityNet's first European city and the fourth city overall to sign such an agreement.  http://www.citynettelecom.com/news/show_release.php?HANDLE=10
CityNet, April 30, 2001

• In April, CityNet closed a second round of equity worth $175 million, with an additional $100 million in debt financing, for its construction of last mile fiber networks through city sewer systems.  CityNet installs the fiber using a computer-controlled robot developed by Ka-Te Systems AG of Zurich, Switzerland.  It then leases the fiber to other companies.  CityNet’s partners also include Alcatel, which provides the fiber cables and special conduit, and Carter & Burgess, an engineering and construction management firm. 

CISCO ROLLS OUT SEVEN ENTERPRISE IP TELEPHONY PRODUCTS
Cisco Systems introduced seven new software and hardware IP telephony products within its AVVID (Architecture for Voice, Video and Integrated Data) portfolio.  The new line-up includes:

• the Cisco Personal Assistant, which streamlines voice communications with personal call rules and speech recognition
   
• Cisco Unity 2.46 unified messaging, which manages e-mail, voicemail and faxes through a single inbox from any device (IP phone, cellular phone, PC) or location
   
• Cisco IP Integrated Contact Distribution (IP-ICD), which provides automated voice call distribution and supports custom contact interaction management for up to 48 concurrent agents
   
• the Cisco IP Phone Productivity Services (PPS) applications suite, an XML application that turns the Cisco 7960 and 7940 IP phones into Internet thin-client devices
   
• the Cisco CallManager 3.1 call processing system, a software-based call-processing system now including music on hold, gateway call preservation, application redundancy, and extension mobility.
   
• a Survivable Remote Site Telephony (SRS Telephony) feature in Cisco IOS
   
• the Catalyst 4224 Voice Gateway Switch platform, an integrated Ethernet switching, IP routing, and voice gateway device that is targeted at small branch offices with up to 24 users

http://www.cisco.com
Cisco Systems, April 30, 2001

BROADCOM SHOWS SINGLE-CHIP GIGABIT ETHERNET SOLUTIONS, EXPECTS NICS AT UNDER $99
Broadcom introduced a single-chip Gigabit Ethernet PCI-X controller with integrated Gigabit copper transceiver, measuring only 21 X 21 mm – requiring 40% less board space than previous solutions.  Broadcom expects the market will soon offer Gigabit Ethernet network interface cards (NICs) at less than $99.  The device could also be integrated in 10/100/1000 LAN-on-motherboard systems.  http://www.broadcom.com
Broadcom, April 30, 2001

• Broadcom has shipped nearly two million Gigabit Ethernet ports to date.

ATHEROS CLOSES $67 MILLION FOR ITS NEXT GENERATION WIRELESS LANS
Atheros secured $66.7 million in third round venture financing to support its development of next generation wireless LAN semiconductors.  The company envisions home networks powered by a 5-GHz radio, located where the broadband connection comes into the home, communicating with TVs, PCs and cordless phones.  Investors include Fidelity Management & Research Company, Bowman Capital, Evercore Ventures, Levensohn Capital Management, Mitsubishi International Corp., Presidio Venture Partners, Proxim Inc., Sumitomo, TDK, August Capital, Foundation Capital, New Enterprise Associates and InveStar Semiconductor Development.  http://www.atheros.com/news/funding.html
Atheros, April 23, 2001

• Atheros initially is focused on CMOS chipsets based on the IEEE 802.11a and HiperLAN II standards, but is also proposing standards enhancements that would enable higher bandwidth, support multimedia, and allow interoperable scalability between low-speed and high-speed devices.  The company’s first two-chip, all-CMOS, end-to-end solution supports the IEEE 802.11a maximum data rate of 54 Mbps, and can also provide speeds up to 72 Mbps in "Atheros turbo" mode. Initial products are sampling now, with volume scheduled to ship this summer.
   
• Atheros has previously issued a proposal for a 5-GHz Unified Protocol (5-UPTM) that supports speeds up to 108 Mbps. 
   
• Atheros was founded by Teresa H. Meng, a professor at Stanford University. Richard A. Redelfs, formerly general manager of 3Com’s Wireless and Home Connectivity Division, joined Atheros as president and CEO in October 1999.   Its engineering team also includes Rick Bahr, formerly the vice president of engineering for scalable systems development at Silicon Graphics (SGI).

PROXIM TO INTEGRATE ATHERO’S RADIO-ON-A-CHIP TECHNOLOGY
Proxim announced a partnership with Atheros focused on 802.11a-based wireless networking (54 Mbps).  Specifically, Proxim plans to incorporate Athero’s radio-on-a-chip technology into its 5 GHz enterprise class products.  http://www.proxim.com/inside/pressroom/2001pr/atheros.shtml
Proxim, April 30, 2001

BRIX NETWORKS SECURES $22 MILLION FOR ITS SLA VERIFICATION TOOL
Brix Networks, a start-up based in Chelmsford, MA., raised $22 million in its third round of venture capital financing, bringing its total funding to $47 million to date.  The company is developing an integrated service level agreement (SLA) monitoring and measurement system that would enable ISPs to ensure the performance of high value IP services to business customers over the public network.  Brix also announced that Level 3 Communications and e^deltacom (a division of ITC^DeltaCom) have selected the company's products.  Investors include Fidelity Ventures, Partech International, STAR Ventures, Charles River Ventures and ComVentures.  http://www.brixnet.com/
Brix Networks, April 30, 2001

• Brix Networks is led by Tom Pincince, who previously founded New Oak Communications, a developer of extranet VPN switches that was acquired by Bay Networks.  The Oak products are now Nortel Networks' Contivity product line.

SITARA RAISES $16 MILLION FOR ITS QOS DEVICES
Sitara Networks, a start-up based in Waltham, MA., completed a $16 million financing round, bringing its total funding to date to $85 million.  Sitara’s integrated QoS platform enables enterprises and service providers to manage a wide range of traffic types over their WAN connections.  The company noted quarter-by-quarter growth in excess of an average of 100% over the last four quarters.  http://www.sitaranetworks.com
Sitara, April 30, 2001

• Sitara offers a "QoSWorks appliance" that integrates caching with traffic management functions to provide faster response times for HTTP traffic.  The traffic management capability combines class-based queuing, TCP rate shaping, packet-size optimization, and an algorithm for fair allocation of bandwidth by connection.  The device typically could be deployed behind the router at remote offices, either by enterprises or their service providers.

COVAD BOND HOLDERS DEMAND IMMEDIATE RESTRUCTURING
Pointing to the recent liquidation of NorthPoint Communications assets, which left its creditors with sizable losses, an organized committee of bondholders of Covad Communications issued a public appeal to the company to restructure immediately.  The bond holders urge Covad’s management to “cease wasting its remaining cash assets, and to manage Covad and its assets for the purpose of maximizing the recovery to Covad creditors.” According to the bondholders' estimate, Covad has approximately $600 million in cash on its books, yet Covad has recently stated that it expects to lose approximately $450 million this year.
April 30, 2001

AZANDA NETWORK DEVICES APPOINTS CEO
Azanda Network Devices, a start-up developing networking semiconductors at 10 Gbps and up, named Steve Dines as its new CEO, replacing company co-founder Bidyut Parruck, who will now focus on his role as CTO.  Dines formerly served as the president and CEO of Excess Bandwidth Corp., a semiconductor start-up acquired by Virata Corp. in August of 2000.  Before joining Excess Bandwidth, Dines spent 8 years at Cirrus Logic, where he was VP and General Manager of Cirrus' Mass Storage semiconductor business.  Azanda is based in Sunnyvale, California.  http://www.azanda.com
Azanda Network Devices, April 30, 2001

• Azanda announced $8 million in initial funding last September.  Investors include Bessemer Venture Partners, Highland Capital Partners and Commonwealth Capital Ventures.  
   
• Azanda was founded by Bidyut Parruck (formerly CTO at CoreEl MicroSystems), Rama Ramakrishnan (formerly with Redback, Cisco and Adaptive/NET), Duke Nguyen (LSI Logic) and Joe Nguyen (a partner a Silicon Valley law firm).

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