Copper Mountain Announces IP IQ -- An Intelligent Approach to DSL Access Networks.
PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 17, 2000
New Advanced Feature Set in Release 3.0 Will Enable New Services and Scales DSL Access to Tens of Millions of Subscribers
Copper Mountain Networks, Inc., (Nasdaq:CMTN) today solidified its position as the leading provider of IP-aware Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) concentrators with the announcement of IP IQ(TM), an advanced IP networking feature set that enables profitable new services and supports very large-scale DSL access networks.
Copper Mountain's IP IQ is part of a suite of new advanced features included in Software Release 3.0 for the company's CopperEdge(R) DSL concentrator family. IP IQ features provide quality-of-service support for voice, video, and emerging productivity and entertainment applications while overcoming the problems of scale arising from the strong demand for DSL services.
With Release 3.0, thousands of CopperEdge systems deployed nationwide in the networks of leading carriers will support the following IP IQ features:
-- IP packet processing and routing. Unlike most DSL concentrators,
the CopperEdge architecture supports layer-3 IP packet processing
and routing as well as layer-2 forwarding (ATM, Frame Relay, or
Ethernet) on all DSL interfaces, including ADSL and G.lite ATM
interfaces. IP intelligence in the CopperEdge provides awareness
of the flows of the IP service layers to make intelligent packet
forwarding and queuing decisions.
-- Transparent IP Processing (TIP). CopperEdge supports queuing and
forwarding based upon IP header information without interfering
with an ISP's IP subnetting schemes. This functionality enables a
carrier to wholesale enhanced IP capabilities to ISPs without
restricting the ISP's IP addressing flexibility.
-- IP subscriber aggregation into ATM virtual circuits. By reducing
the number of virtual circuits (VCs) through the transport network
by a factor of one hundred or more, aggregation enables the
network to scale to millions of subscribers.
-- IP CoS support and mapping to ATM QoS. The CopperEdge aggregates
and prioritizes traffic via IP Class of Service (CoS) or ATM
Quality of Service (QoS). This capability enables the service
provider to offer IP and ATM services through one DSL
concentrator. This also allows mapping of particular subscribers,
or even individual IP users or applications to ATM virtual
circuits of different QoS, supporting sophisticated tiered service
offerings.
-- VPNs based on private IP address spaces. The CopperEdge supports
up to 192 virtual private networks (VPNs) based on secure
compartmentalized IP address spaces. VPNs allow connections
between multiple sites and teleworkers within an organization.
-- Dual networking models allow carriers to separately handle voice
services and data services over the same DSL interface. In
combination with appropriate Integrated Access Devices (IADs) at
the customer premise, carriers can, for example, forward ATM AAL2
voice traffic onto a per-subscriber virtual circuit, while
aggregating data with other subscribers. Alternatively, IP-based
voice services can be aggregated with other subscribers in a
private IP address space, while data can be aggregated with other
subscribers in a separate private or public IP address space.
-- Support for MGCP Voice over IP. The CopperEdge supports voice over
IP services for next-generation telephony, in combination with
Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP) Gateways and call agents.
-- Frame Relay / ATM interworking. The CopperEdge platform supports
Telcordia-compliant Frame Relay service interfaces over SDSL and
IDSL, with complete FRF.5 and FRF.8 interworking with ATM
backbones. The CopperEdge also supports interworking between ADSL
and G.lite ATM service interfaces and a Frame Relay backbone.
Release 3.0 from Copper Mountain also lays the foundation for
additional IP IQ functionality now under development that the company
expects to deliver over the next 6-12 months, including:
-- PPP Subscriber aggregation into L2TP tunnels. Many ISPs have
adapted their dial-access architectures to DSL access, requiring a
PPP session for each subscriber. Current implementations
provisioning a permanent virtual circuit (PVC) through the access
network for each PPP session are not scalable. Aggregation of PPP
into L2TP will allow DSL access providers to provision a single
PVC between the DSL concentrator and the ISP service router
supporting hundreds of PPP sessions.
-- MPLS edge routing. As an MPLS label edge router, the CopperEdge
concentrator will assign individual IP flows to appropriate MPLS
labels depending on IP header content. MPLS combines the
connection-oriented switching and quality of service advantages of
ATM with the scaling advantages of IP.
-- IP Multicasting at DSL Concentrator. IP multicast protocols allow
users to selectively join or leave real-time audio or video
multicasts. Multicast packet replication in the CopperEdge
dramatically reduces the consumption of bandwidth between the
content server and the CopperEdge, greatly improving the economics
for multicast entertainment and communication services.
What is IP IQ?
Today, the ability to provide voice and data services concurrently over one copper pair is driving rapid market growth. Ultimately, the market is moving toward productivity applications at the desktop that combine Internet access, virtual private network (VPN) services, and multiple voice lines. Service providers are taking advantage of this opportunity by providing intelligent IP-based services with guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS). IP IQ in CopperEdge DSL concentrators enables converged services, by dynamically recognizing user profiles and services at the IP layer, and ensuring they are allocated sufficient network resources to provide the end user an enriching service experience. IP IQ is multi-faceted:
-- An intelligent approach to scale: IP and PPP subscriber
aggregation
-- An intelligent approach to services: IP CoS and routing
-- An intelligent approach to transport: IP mapping to ATM and MPLS
With IP IQ, service providers have the tools to expand their service portfolios to include such advanced services as Voice over DSL (VoDSL), network-based VPNs for secure corporate communications over DSL, and emerging applications such as multicast steaming audio and video, unified messaging, communications portals, voice-enhanced multi-player games, and audio-enhanced Internet chat rooms. The economic case for offering multiple DSL services is compelling. Providers can market to their largest potential customer base, increase revenue per customer, and maximize revenue per copper pair.
"Copper Mountain's high IP IQ in the DSL concentrator enables Network Telephone to take advantage of the multi-service opportunity," said Ray Russenberger, president and CEO of Network Telephone. "Because of the IP intelligence in the CopperEdge platform, we have been able to meet our aggressive roll out of converged voice and data solutions."
"Emerging broadband services need more than just ATM QoS," stated Bryan Long, vice president of marketing for Copper Mountain Networks. "With the dramatic rise in IP-based services, IP IQ will be the clear measurement of the intelligent edge. IP IQ in the DSL concentrator reconciles new service requirements with the need to support millions of subscribers. Whether the backbone infrastructure is ATM based or IP based, IP IQ is a logical necessity at the DSL concentrator."
The DSL market is growing rapidly, according to several analyst estimates. Cahners In-Stat Group has completed a market sizing study whereby it predicts that the number of DSL lines will increase from 1,447,000 in 1999 to 16,693,000 lines in 2003 worldwide. TeleChoice predicts growth of U.S. DSL lines in service to grow from 575,000 in 1999 to 9,569,000 in 2003.
As the access and core networks evolve, the architecture of the CopperEdge DSL concentrator family today supports the growing trend of using IP from the subscriber premise to the core. IP is the natural language for all computing devices and is rapidly penetrating the communications world. Innovative IP-based customer premise equipment (CPE) such as Ethernet telephones and PC-based communications abound. Corporate and home Local Area Networks (LANs) are based on IP. Subscriber management systems and multi-service platforms are inherently IP processors. Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP, also known as MeGaCo) are IP-based signaling sessions for next-generation telephony. Core networks are evolving to Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) with terabit routing. All of these technology advances underscore the importance of IP intelligence.
Pricing and Availability
Release 3.0 from Copper Mountain will be generally available in June of 2000. With CopperView bulk upgrade functionality, carriers can easily upgrade their networks from their network operation centers.
About Copper Mountain Networks
Copper Mountain Networks, Inc., (Nasdaq:CMTN) develops and markets a comprehensive family of Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) solutions that enable high-speed internetworking over existing copper facilities. The company's mission is to enable carriers and other service providers to offer a full range of high-performance, cost-effective data and voice services over DSL that are easy to deploy, use, and manage. Copper Mountain's CopperRocket(R) CPE family addresses the bandwidth, reliability, ease-of-use, and cost concerns of remote offices and users. Its CopperEdge(R) DSL concentrators, OnPrem(TM) multi-tenant unit (MTU) concentrators, and CopperView(TM) network management solutions offer a robust and scalable platform for carriers and multi-tenant unit service providers to generate a high return on investment while satisfying the ever-increasing user demand for bandwidth. Customers wanting more information about Copper Mountain products can contact Diana Helfrich at 650/687-3314 or visit the company's World Wide Web site at coppermountain.com. For investor relations information, call toll free 877-INFO-CMTN (463-6268) or contact the company at IR@coppermountain.com. |
