Breakthrough in Ethernet technology over fiber?? If true, this is a good development for metropolitan cable systems, campus networks, etc.......................
ADC Telecommunications Announces Breakthrough in Ethernet
Technology
ANAHEIM, Calif--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 10, 1997--
Establishes New Standard for High Speed Data Transmission and
Deliverability Over Ring Networks
Can Reduce Cost of Equipment in Dedicated Regional Ring Networks
by 50% to 80% While Expanding Flexibility
ADC Telecommunications today announced the availability of the Fast EtherRing(TM) Switch, ADC's first product
based on its new EtherRing(TM) technology for which a patent is pending. EtherRing technology enables data to be
transmitted over fiber rings for the first time in native Ethernet format, at potentially less cost than networks implemented
using other packet-based transmission formats. The Fast EtherRing Switch enables high-speed, high-capacity transport
of data, Internet Protocol (IP)-video, and IP-voice over telephony, and MPEG digital video over fiber optic rings of
virtually unlimited distances. Using the Fast EtherRing Switch for high speed data transmission eliminates the need for
distributed routers and central switches, vastly reducing the number of packet conversion points in the metropolitan
network. The Fast EtherRing Switch initially uses a dedicated fiber or works in conjunction with ADC's DV6000(TM)
high speed digital transport system.
According to data communications industry analysts who have reviewed the product, EtherRing technology will enable
regional networks to be implemented over a dedicated fiber with possible equipment cost savings of 50% to 80% over
ATM/SONET based systems. The Fast EtherRing Switch allows Ethernet capacity to be incrementally expanded from
200 million bits per second (Mbps) to 16 billion bits per second (Gbps), equivalent to OC-288 data rate over a single
fiber.
"EtherRing technology may significantly lower the network operator's cost of offering voice, video, and telephony
services in metropolitan networks, and it is available now," said William J. Cadogan, ADC's chairman and chief executive
officer.
"Communication networks are constantly being re-engineered to overcome the bottlenecks caused by increased traffic
demands and the growing use of bandwidth-intense applications. Many operators are doubling their transmission capacity
every six months," said Vivek Ragavan, president of the Broadband Communication Division of ADC
Telecommunications. "In this highly competitive environment, EtherRing can provide network operators with competitive
advantages both in terms of driving down network transport costs, and in the ability to expand network capacity quickly,
incrementally, and with minimal operations impact," Ragavan continued.
The Ethernet format has been limited to short distance, star-based networks, such as Local Area Networks (LANs).
Currently, for longer distance transmission of high-speed data over public and private networks, data must be converted
to frame relay, ATM, or other formats. These data conversions add costs to the network in two ways: the cost of
conversion equipment including routers or switches at each local site and central switches, and the loss of transmission
capacity across the entire backbone network due to the significantly higher overhead and lower transmission efficiency of
the converted data formats. The Fast EtherRing Switch is designed to consolidate routing and provide distributed
switches in place of hubs, carrying packets in the metropolitan ring in the less expensive Ethernet format.
Local and Metropolitan Area Networks (LAN/MAN) Implications
The Fast EtherRing Switch makes "all Ethernet" metropolitan networks possible by using native Ethernet transmission
protocol over a dedicated fiber and inexpensive EtherRing switches at each remote node, instead of other packet formats
requiring complex, expensive, and maintenance-intensive distributed routers at all of the remote nodes. Inexpensive and
self-learning, EtherRing Fast Ethernet Switches control traffic and apply IP-based security and delivery priorities.
Cable Television Implications
CATV operators will be able to establish Ethernet networks that deliver multiple IP-based services to businesses and
homes. The Fast EtherRing Switch allows IP data and video signals to be transmitted to/from multiple hubs across
regions without the installation of expensive routing equipment, thereby reducing the delivery cost to network operators
and users. It also creates exciting opportunities for providing alternate access and metropolitan area network services to
area businesses. The Fast EtherRing Switch makes new revenue streams possible by providing new transport capabilities
at lower costs than previously attainable.
"No longer is Ethernet limited to point-to-point connections. The Fast EtherRing Switch allows network operators to
reduce the expense associated with packet based ring networks, and reduce the cost and loss of exclusivity that is
associated with satellite transmission," said Michael H. Coden, president and CEO of Codenoll Technology Corporation
(a subsidiary of ADC Telecommunications) and the inventor of EtherRing and co-developer of the Fast EtherRing
Switch.
The Fast EtherRing Switch consists of both hardware and software for transporting digital signals, Ethernet interfaces,
switching components and related operational and network management software. The Fast EtherRing Switch has
already been field tested and is currently available. For additional information on EtherRing technology, the Fast
EtherRing Switch, or the DV6000 system, please contact ADC's Broadband Communications Division at
1-800-504-4443.
ADC Telecommunications Inc. is a leading supplier of transmission and networking systems used to deliver voice, data,
and video services. The company holds a pre-eminent market position in physical connectivity products for wireless,
fiber-optic, twisted pair, and coaxial networks. Revenues for fiscal year 1997 are estimated to be $1.1 billion. More
information about ADC Telecommunications and its business units, products, and technologies is available at its Web
site, adc.com, or by calling the company at 1-800-366-3891 ext. 3475.
DV6000 is a trademark of ADC Telecommunications, Inc. EtherRing is a trademark of Codenoll Technology
Corporation, a subsidiary of ADC Telecommunications.
CONTACT: ADC Telecommunications, Minneapolis
Mary Beth Staron, 203/317-4112
mary-beth_staron@ndc.com
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