Avici Systems and Riverstone Networks Demonstrate End-to-End MPLS VPN Solution
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 4, 2001--
Companies Highlight Advanced Services Creation from the Metro to the Core Network
Avici Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: AVCI), a leading provider of scalable core routing solutions for intelligent IP-over-optical networks, and Riverstone Networks, (Nasdaq: RSTN), a leader in service creation infrastructure for metropolitan area networks, today announced the demonstration of a joint end-to-end Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) Virtual Private Network (VPN) service application. The combination of routing technologies is designed to solve one of the greatest challenges service providers face today -- replacement of legacy leased lines and frame relay services with Internet VPNs to connect enterprises on a national or worldwide basis.
"Core / Metro MPLS interoperability is unquestionably needed to make end-to-end IP VPNs a viable replacement for frame relay or ATM-based services," said David Dunphy, senior analyst at Current Analysis. "The partnership of Avici and Riverstone should result in a solid routing solution featuring strong core and metro routing platforms with proven MPLS interoperability -- good news for service providers that could help accelerate implementation of MPLS in end-to-end solutions."
The application will be demonstrated at the SUPERCOMM 2001 trade show from June 4-7 in the Avici Systems booth, # 4856. It features the Avici TSR(R) scalable core router at the core of a Wide Area Network (WAN) with Riverstone's RS 8000 and RS 8600 at the edge of a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) to create a unified IP/MPLS infrastructure.
The demonstration will highlight a virtual leased line service based on point-to-point Gigabit Ethernet connectivity across a converged IP/MPLS backbone. In the demonstration, customer VLAN information is mapped to MPLS labels using Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) in conjunction with the IETF Martini Draft for signaling layer 2 VPNs across a provider's IP/MPLS backbone. This technique can be extended to support complete transparent LAN services, i.e. multipoint to multipoint VPNs. No other independent vendor partnership has announced the capability to provide edge-to-edge MPLS support. The joint application offers a lower initial investment, higher revenues and lower operating expenses than does reliance on other IP VPN or traditional frame relay or ATM technologies.
Romulus Pereira, president and CEO of Riverstone Networks said, "Avici's capabilities at the core are an ideal complement to Riverstone's service creation capabilities at the network edge. Together, the performance in the core of the WAN and versatility in the MAN make for an extremely attractive combination."
With the rise of data traffic, more service providers are focusing on Ethernet and IP technologies to offer advanced services to customers. MPLS provides an opportunity to target a new set of customers and to improve overall profitability. The Avici and Riverstone demonstration fully exploits the shared MPLS capabilities of the two platforms, relying on Riverstone's technology for media versatility and service creation in the MAN and Avici's technology for packet throughput intelligence capabilities, service awareness and traffic engineering in the core of the WAN.
"No single vendor solution can offer the same degree of combined routing expertise in today's high-performance WAN and MAN networks," said Steve Kaufman, president and COO of Avici Systems. "Together, Avici and Riverstone show a compelling example of how service providers can create an advanced, end-to-end IP services infrastructure using best-of-breed technologies."
About Riverstone Networks
Riverstone Networks, Inc., (Nasdaq: RSTN) builds routers that convert raw bandwidth into profitable services for Metropolitan Area Networks. Riverstone's products enable the creation of profitable services and the delivery of these services over next-generation and legacy networks, including SONET/SDH, Gigabit Ethernet, T1/E1, T3/E3, ATM and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM). Riverstone products bring together fourth-generation Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), battle-tested routing software, and unparalleled media versatility to deliver comprehensive solutions for Metropolitan Area Networks. Riverstone's products are deployed in more than 40 countries and in some of the world's largest networks, including British Telecom, Genuity, MCI WorldCom, MAE West Ames, EarthLink, NTT, and Telefonica. For more information, please visit the company's Web site at riverstonenet.com.
About Avici Systems
Avici Systems Inc., headquartered in North Billerica, Mass., is a developer of next-generation Internet backbone platforms that optimize and drive creation of all-optical "speed-of-light" networks. Designed to bring packet intelligence to the core of optical networks, Avici's technologies offer superior scalability, resiliency and port density enabling just-in-time bandwidth provisioning, high reliability and the quality of service needed for carriers and ISPs to support mission-critical applications of the future. Visit Avici's World Wide Website at avici.com.
Avici and TSR are registered trademarks of Avici Systems Inc.
This release contains information about Avici's future expectations, plans, and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. When used in this press release, the words "will be" and other similar expressions are intended to identify such forward looking statements.
Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, market acceptance of Avici products, services and enhancements, customer purchasing patterns and commitments, development of the market place, product development and enhancement, intensity of competition of other vendors, technological changes and other risks set forth in Avici's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT:
Avici Systems
Esmeralda Swartz
978-964-2000
eswartz@avici.com
or
LNS Communications, Inc.
Cathy Caldeira/Dylan Locsin
617-577-9777
ccaldeira@LNScom.com
dlocsin@LNScom.com
or
Riverstone Networks
Stephen M. Garrison
408-878-6433
garrison@riverstonenet.com
KEYWORD: GEORGIA MASSACHUSETTS
BW2103 JUN 04,2001
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