[Software Upgrade Path For ADSL Modems And Remote Access Concentrators]
Dug,
When you get done laughing about the idea of RBOCs buying
remote access concentrators or other equipment containing modems that
you and Bob Smith think will have a short product life because of
their narrow initial bandwidth, you may want to review the following
information. It demonstrates that over 230 ISPs have *already*
installed Total Control Enterprise Network Hubs (or similar USRX
equipment) with software upgradeable architecture. This number does
not include ISPs who have committed to, but not yet installed, X2
equipment.
Why can't you imagine RBOCs agreeing to buy equipment that
incorporates even the very slow "ADSL Lite" *option* of the hybrid
X2DSL product line when first purchased, but which can be upgraded by
a simple software download to achieve greater ADSL speeds? Especially
in the early days of mass ADSL deployment, when the network backbone
may not yet have high enough capacity to allow immediate operation at
full 8Mbps speed? With software upgradeable architecture, isn't it
the controller and DSP line code of the modem that is "interim," while
the access concentrator and modem "hardware" is at least relatively
permanent? And in fairness, the [PC Week ?] article that mentioned
X2DSL modems certainly didn't indicate that *all* of the hybrid X2DSL
modems would initially be limited to such narrow ADSL bandwidth.
If you (or anyone else) know of any reason why RBOC's would be
less interested than ISPs in software upgradeable system architecture,
please reply and post it. I'm still learning about this stuff and
admit I could be missing something obvious. It does seem, however,
that you don't have to be an electrical engineer to see the value of
an upgrade route to future technology that involves software downloads
rather than physical chip replacements (assuming, as I am, that the
end result of both upgrade methods is a similar performance
enhancement). Presumably, that is why the websites referenced below,
taken as a whole, indicate that both USRX and Rockwell, who are in the
middle of a 56Kbps standards fight, are now selling modems and/or
systems with software upgradeable architecture.
Admittedly I'm also assuming that the information found at the
following websites is true, but I have no reason to doubt its accuracy
(some quoted portions are excerpts to save space, so if you want the
full text, jump to the sites):
1. USRX has a list of over 230 ISP's that have already rolled out X2
by State (as of 5/6/97), together with customer service numbers and
Web Site Info at:
x2.usr.com
2. From techstocks.com
Dow Jones News Service ~ March 14, 1997 ~ 5:23 pm EST
By Anthony Palazzo
<<Analysts see the recent moves by Packard Bell and Hayes as
recognition that U.S. Robotics is moving fast to build on its
marketing and deployment leads. Because the U.S. Robotics technology
is software-based, the upgrade to x2 is easier than K56flex, which
will require new chip sets on both the consumer modems and the remote
access concentrators located on the Internet service provider's
network.
Where modems shipped by U.S. Robotics as far back as August are
upgradable with a simple software add-on, K56flex supporters will have
to sell all-new modems to establish an installed base, said Therese
Murphy, an analyst with Smith Barney Inc.
On the Internet service provider side, the same principle applies,
Murphy said. The x2 upgrade is a software download; K56flex will
require stripping out existing hardware, replacing and testing it.
''They've implemented x2 at America Online in, I think, five cities
already,'' Murphy said. ''In the near term, maybe by this weekend,
you'll see Compuserve announcing'' x2 deployments, she said. She
doesn't see significant K56flex access deployments until late summer
or early fall.>>
[Note below that by 4/22/97, about a month later, Rockwell was also
selling software upgradeable DSP modem chips]
3. From zoomtel.com
<<BOSTON, MA, April 22, 1997 - Zoom Telephonics (Nasdaq: ZOOM), a
leading manufacturer of modems and other data communications equipment,
announced today that it has begun high-volume shipments of K56flex
faxmodems featuring flash memory for downloading updates for all modem
code, including Controller and Digital Signal Processor (DSP) code. . .
"Zoom will focus its shipments and marketing efforts on the
most advanced K56flex technology, which has a DSP that is updated from
flash memory instead of being "hard-coded." This means that all modem
code, both DSP code and Controller code, can be easily modified by
the user with simple software commands without touching the modem.
This makes it easy to make sure the modem code is the "latest and
greatest," and to add features including possible upgrades to future
standards. . . .
"We have elected to focus on the highest-end K56flex
technology available from Rockwell," said Frank Manning. "Our
extensive testing convinces us that the smart customer will want the
significantly higher performance and superior upgradeability of 56K
modems with flash memory for both the modem Controller and Digital
Signal Processor. You don't need full-upgradeability for stable
technology like 33.6K, but you should use it for advanced
pre-standard technology like 56K. Customers should be wary of modems
that advertise flash memory and don't specifically mention DSP
upgradeability, since modems typically use flash memory for
Controller code only." . . .
Zoom will offer a full line of faxmodems supporting K56flex,
including internal, external, and PCMCIA models, some with
full-duplex speakerphone, voice mail, and simultaneous voice and data
capabilities.
Zoom Telephonics designs, produces and markets products that
link people and their personal computers through the world's largest
network, the international telephone network, and connected networks
including the Internet and corporate local area networks. Zoom
products are produced in Boston, Massachusetts and sold worldwide.
Zoom Telephonics is publicly traded on Nasdaq (Nasdaq: ZOOM). . . .>>
4. For a link to other SI threads discussing software-upgradeable
56Kbps modems based on designs by USRX and Lucent/Rockwell, see:
techstocks.com
5. From a USRX "White Paper" at:
usr.com
<<The Total Control Enterprise Network Hub is installed primarily
in telephone company sites, corporate data centers, Internet service
providers, on-line services and value added networks. It enables
customers to simply add or exchange application/interface cards as
their communications needs and business strategies evolve. The
midplane architecture provides the flexibility to integrate X.25 with
Frame Relay packet switching networks, T1 with ISDN trunk lines, and
Ethernet with Token Ring LANs.
In addition, the chassis' TDM bus enables U.S. Robotics to
download software directly to the cards for upgrades and problem
resolution. One benefit of this is the ease with which we can add
new features that give customers a competitive advantage. For example,
the V.34 modem standard was recently changed from 28.8 Kbps to
33.6 Kbps. Most other modem vendors use either AT&T or Rockwell
chipsets and can't support the change until the manufacturer does. We
developed 33.6 Kbps software to the standard and made it available for
download via the TDM bus into our quad modem chipsets. Previously we
did the same with cellular protocols, again giving U.S. Robotics
customers a head start.>>
6. I'm certainly not "excited" about the bandwidth of a 128Kbps
technology (although as mentioned there is no indication that this is
some sort of limitation on hybrid x2DSL modem designs). But the
proposed "hybrid" USRX x2DSL modem is still noteworthy because it will
combine (i) the fastest transmission speed already mass deployed
(i.e., 56 Kbps), with (ii) an easy software upgrade path to 8Mbps in
the future.
USRX, Lucent and Rockwell all seem to believe that software
upgradeable architecture for modems/systems will allow them to sell
more 56Kbps product, despite the current lack of a 56Kbps standard.
Why shouldn't this be true for ADSL modems as well, where despite the
ANSI DMT standard, there is still a fight among vendors of the CAP,
DMT and WDMT (or whatever acronym applies to ADI/Aware) versions of
ADSL for the hearts and minds of paying customers?
All comments, pro and con, are welcome. And if you still find
this funny, have a good hearty laugh on me. After all, what are
clowns for?
Bozo T. Clown
If you make an investment decision based on a comment by some Bozo,
you have only yourself to blame! |
