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MEANS Telcom Selects Cisco Universal Access Solutions; Cisco Dial Solutions Provide Reliable, High-Speed Access to Multiservice Network
Business Wire - November 17, 1997 08:06
%CISCO-SYSTEMS CSCO %CALIFORNIA %COMPUTERS %ELECTRONICS %COMED %TELECOMMUNICATIONS %INTERACTIVE %MULTIMEDIA %INTERNET %PRODUCT V%BW P%BW
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 1997--MEANS Telcom, Inc. announced today that it will deploy Cisco AS5200 and AS5300 universal access servers and the Cisco AccessPath(TM) carrier-class integrated dial access system to provide reliable, high-speed dialup access to its Internet and data services network.
MEANS Telcom represents 65 independent telephone companies, providing them with long distance, videoconferencing, Internet, private line and Frame Relay data services via a 1,725-mile fiber-optic communications network. MEANS Telcom also recently acquired the Minnesota Regional Network (MRNet), Minnesota's oldest and largest Internet service provider (ISP). The two companies' combined resources create the largest ISP in the region. Customers include most Minnesota-based Fortune 500 companies, all of the state's higher education institutions, 80 percent of the K-12 schools, public libraries, state and county governments, more than 70 regional ISPs and hundreds of other organizations.
MEANS Telcom Lays the Groundwork for a High-Speed Future
"The Cisco AS5200 and AS5300 servers enable us to meet traditional analog dial access needs while supporting the growing demand for 56-kbps modem and high-speed digital access, such as ISDN," said Walker Angell, product manager for data services at MEANS Telcom. "The modular universal access servers position us well for the future as we scale our Internet infrastructure to support national backbone connections and cell-based ATM switching. Our future plans include support for voice, video and data integration over a single, high-performance backbone."
The Cisco AS5200 universal access server delivers hybrid asynchronous serial and ISDN line service, allowing MEANS Telcom to offer full digital and analog dialup connections using the same connection dial-in number for 33.6 kbps, 56 kbps and ISDN users. The AS5200 is popular with service providers because it integrates the functions of standalone channel service units (CSUs), channel banks, modems, communication servers, switches and routers into a single chassis.
The Cisco AS5300 supports near line-speed performance for up to 120 concurrent analog modem calls and ISDN B channels over a single dial-in telephone number. The Cisco AccessPath-TS3, deployed with AS5300 access servers, scales to 2,520 ports over a single dial-in telephone number. Consolidated functionality of CSUs, terminal servers, managed modems and routing in a single platform greatly simplifies administration, troubleshooting and management.
"Cisco's portfolio of dial access platforms provides MEANS Telcom with a high-performance, reliable dial access solution," said Kevin Kennedy, vice president and general manager of the Network-to-User Business Unit at Cisco Systems. "Advanced networking and management features also ensure that MEANS can scale its dial-in access solutions to meet the growing demand for Internet access."
Cisco IOS Software Provides Springboard for Advanced Features and Scalability
"We selected the Cisco universal access servers largely because of the Cisco IOS(TM) software platform," said Angell. "Cisco IOS software supports advanced features such as data encryption, Multilink PPP and data compression while maintaining per-user data throughput." Cisco IOS software will allow MEANS Telcom to optimize bandwidth utilization using protocols such as Resource Reservation Protocol (RSVP) and Weighted Fair Queuing (WFQ), maximizing utilization of existing circuit infrastructure. A common Cisco IOS software platform also simplifies integration and management of the universal access servers with a wide range of existing Cisco routers. The combined resources of MEANS Telcom and MRNet rely on a number of Cisco products to support its backbone network, including the Cisco 7500, 4700, 3600 and 2500 routers and Catalyst(R) 5000 switches. In addition, MEANS Telcom provides management services for more than 400 Cisco routers that reside in Minnesota K-12 schools and provide Internet connection.
MEANS Telcom will also deploy Cisco's AccessPath carrier-class access system. AccessPath integrates access servers, backbone routers, a switching engine, a system controller and management software, giving MEANS an easy-to-manage solution for multiple points of presence (POPs) that accommodate ISDN Primary Rate Interface (PRI) T1/E1 lines or channelized T1 lines. As dial-in demands increase, the AccessPath system can scale capacity quickly and easily via the system's stacking capability.
"With the stacking feature, service providers can quickly increase port density and scale their dial access capabilities without enlarging the system's overall footprint," said Kennedy. "By adding dial shelves within the AccessPath system, stacking enables a provider to immediately meet increased demand without taking up additional, valuable space. With Cisco, MEANS Telcom is well-positioned to realize its objectives in providing scalable, high-performance service for all of its customers."
Virtual Private Dial Networks Ahead
Looking ahead, MEANS Telcom will begin evaluating Cisco solutions for dialup virtual private network (VPN) services. Dialup VPN services would enable MEANS Telcom's business and education customers to securely outsource their dial pools, such as those used in customer service, technical support and 24-hour ordering applications. Outsourced VPN services allow businesses to reduce costs by eliminating the need for them to build, manage and upgrade their own dial pools.
About MEANS Telcom
MEANS Telcom (www.means.net) is a privately held company formed to provide state-of-the-art telecommunications services. Owned by 63 independent telephone companies in Minnesota that serve more than 60,000 customers in the upper Midwest, MEANS Telcom is devoted to deploying the latest voice, video and data technologies, including long distance service, statewide Internet access, worldwide interactive videoconferencing and advanced data communications through its 100 percent digital fiber-optic infrastructure.
About Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. News and information are available at cisco.com .
NOTE TO EDITORS: AccessPath and Cisco IOS are trademarks, and Catalyst, Cisco, Cisco Systems and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.
CONTACT: Cisco Systems, Inc.
Clare Whitecross, 408/525-2957
cwhitecr@cisco.com
or
MEANS Telcom
Andrea Johnson, 612/230-4419
asjohnson@means.net
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