CAP and DMT living in peace...
ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 16, 1997
-- New CopperCluster DSL gateway will enable large-scale rollout of DSL services, while uniquely providing both ATM and Ethernet LAN interfaces, with secure Ethernet bridging --
Soon, service providers will be able to offer DSL service on a
wide scale as the result of Performances announcement today of its
CopperCluster DSL gateway -- the first to support modems with
different line codes.
The CopperCluster gateway aggregates multi-protocol, multimedia traffic from many local homes and businesses and concentrates that digital data onto high-capacity, wide-area-network facilities. This provides efficient, economical access to LANs and information servers around the world.
CopperCluster systems will support Performances line of modems, which offer 7Mbps speeds -- the fastest commercially-viable products available. By using its CAP-based modems initially, Performance is ensuring that the most economical and immediate solution is available for 1997 deployment. As demand increases, the scalability of the CopperCluster platform will enable service providers to simply slot in more capacity to meet demand.
Performances CopperCluster system is more scaleable and versatile than DSL access multiplexers (DSLAMs) and will offer service
providers multiple differentiated levels of service. Examples
include allowing each modem to automatically adjust its modem data
rates to line lengths and conditions, as well as fully supporting ATM
quality of service (QoS) structures. The new system will also
provide a clear, scalable migration path to optimal solutions that
wont require large upgrades. The gateway was designed for low-cost,
high-density configurations, with the initial version providing
support for 256 DSL modems. The technology advances in VLSI
integration in Performances labs will enable the CopperCluster to
respond to the explosive growth of the DSL industry by doubling its
density and capacity in 1998.
"The dual line code support offered with the CopperCluster gateway will enable service providers to make the immediate investment in CAP-based modems and, when DMT chips meet size, power and cost
requirements, they will be able to support both technologies, if they
so choose," said Performances Chairman and CEO, John Slusser. "Most
DMT solutions today do not meet the density or cost requirements of
the market and may not for some time.
"This is the perfect solution also for OEMs who can gain immediate
DSL market entry by taking the CopperCluster system and incorporating
it in their packet or cell switches," said Slusser. "We fully intend to
help accelerate the DSL market by making the CopperCluster available
to other equipment vendors, as is the case with our Champion DSL
modems and our CopperAccel HDSL products.
"As a result, we are partnering with a number of large vendors,
which will remove the proprietary obstacles from the DSL rollout
efforts that are rapidly increasing. In less than nine months weve
gone from having no phone companies with announced DSL service plans,
to nearly all major phone companies worldwide with DSL initiatives.
And the phenomenal growth of this industry will be even more
fascinating in the next nine months."
The CopperCluster architecture is NEBS and EC compliant and will
integrate ATM technology end-to-end, with each rack containing
network interface modules (NIMs) that can link to an ATM edge switch
or backbone switch on the network side. Performance will offer a
choice of NIMs for varied U.S. and international operating
environments and traffic loads, including a 25Mbps ATM interface, as
well as Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, DS1/E1, DS3/E3 or OC3/STM1
connections. The gateway is also tailored for country-specific power
and safety requirements.
"The great benefit of the CopperCluster gateway is that customers
are future-proofed by being able to support Ethernet today and ATM
tomorrow," said Performances vice president of sales and marketing,
Jim Gulley. Performances new gateway also will provide a unique
operational architecture that provides the following support:
-- Billing/accounting systems interface
-- Security and fraud management
-- Inventory and asset management
-- Systems monitoring and diagnostics
The six-foot CopperCluster gateway will be available in multiple
configurations, including central office models and remote
neighborhood-based units. The CopperCluster rack will contain four
shelves, with each shelf providing 16 slots in a 19-inch/48 cm.
configuration and 20 slots in a 23-inch/58 cm. configuration. The
first two slots are reserved for a NIM, as well as a Data Control
Module (DCM). The shelf can also be configured with two NIMs and two
DCMs for redundant operations or for traffic load balancing. All
remaining slots are for DSL line cards.
Each line card in the CopperCluster gateway will initially
support four rate adaptive DSL modems, which allows each shelf to
support 64 modems and each rack to accomodate 256 DSL lines.
Additionally, the shelf can contain both CAP and DMT modems
simultaneously and each line card can be configured for symmetrical
or asymmetrical operation. The customer premises device will be a
new model of Performances Champion modem that incorporates an
ATM-compatible segmentation and reassembly chip set and other ATM
chips to support permanent and switched-virtual circuits. The
Champion modems can be configured for native ATM or for multiprotocol
LAN emulation to support Ethernet and other LAN protocols, including
SNA. The Champion modems provide secure workgroup Ethernet bridging
and serves as a self-learning bridge, which dramatically simplifies
address administration. The modems can also be managed in
SNMP-compatible network management systems, such as HP OpenView, and
also incorporate advanced features, such as accounting and session
management. Performance also will provide interoperability between
its CAP-based modems and QAM modems.
This new gateway platform will provide a number of new industry
solutions, including direct billing systems interfaces compatible
with back office operations worldwide. The system also offers
session management that enables carriers to comply with equal access
requirements. The CopperCluster system will also feature cutback
power and full power boost that will enable it to supply extra power
to boost the reach in rate adaptive applications.
"The CopperCluster gateway enables customers to take advantage of
proven LAN technologies, while protecting service providers from
technology obsolescence as customer applications evolve to require
different class of service support," said Gulley. "Lab tests with
service providers have clearly demonstrated that Performances cell
processing rates are significantly faster than any other industry
offering."
Performance Telecom, based in Rochester, is a pioneer and leading innovator of DSL products. Performance developed the worlds first commercially-viable 7Mbps DSL modem and also the first DSL modem for use in an ISP trial using DSL. Performance is supplying telephone
companies, PTTs and other types of service providers with a broad
range of rate adaptive ADSL, HDSL and SDSL equipment. The company
also operates its InformationView subsidiary, which develops and
markets advanced end user billing and information management systems
for carriers. For more information, please visit Performances Web
site at www.performance.com. Performance will be exhibiting in booth
1407 at Comnet, where they will demonstrate DSL multimedia Internet
applications. |
