All: What do you make of this announcement by Enron/Ciena to provide "IP to the Glass" (whatever that means).
Ciena provides Enron Communications with DWDM equipment in new nationwide network build
Presswire - November 03, 1998 18:26
M2 PRESSWIRE-3 November 1998-CIENA Ciena provides Enron Communications with DWDM equipment in new nationwide network build (C)1994-98 M2 COMMUNICATIONS
LTD
* Enron, CIENA and Cisco create first high-speed, IP-only backbone network
LINTHICUM, MD -- CIENA Corporation (Nasdaq: CIEN) today announced that Enron
Communications, Inc. (NYSE: ENE) has chosen CIENA's Multiwave Sentry 4000 dense
wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) equipment for immediate deployment in Enron's new
Pure Internet Protocolsm (IP) backbone network. CIENA already has shipped equipment for
Enron Communications' Portland-to-Los Angeles fiber route valued at approximately $23 million.
"By directly connecting to our Cisco 12000 GSRs, CIENA's equipment made it possible for
Enron Communications to create a network architecture that is elegantly simple yet hugely
powerful with tremendous bandwidth capacity. No SONET, no ATM, and no Frame Relay
components - just pure IP over DWDM fiber," said Stan Hanks, vice president of research and
technology, Enron Communications, Inc. "As compared to previously deployed data-centric
architectures, this approach eliminates intermediate protocols, simplifies the architecture, lowers
costs, increases reliability and reduces errors, ultimately differentiating Enron Communications and
enabling us to offer our customers better service."
"This kind of deployment validates our conception of the New Network Architecture," said Scott
Clavenna, senior analyst, Pioneer Consulting, "which combines the technological benefits of
DWDM with cost efficiencies of IP to create a flexible, scalable broadband network."
"Enron Communications is the first carrier to truly create an IP-to-the-glass via DWDM
architecture on a network-wide basis and is poised to reap the rewards," said Patrick Nettles,
CIENA's president and chief executive officer. "This deployment illustrates that CIENA's
DirectConnect technology can be integral in creating a simplified network with massive capacity.
Continued deployment of CIENA's MultiWave DWDM systems will make it possible for Enron
to keep pace with burgeoning traffic demands, offer its customers fast, reliable Internet backbone
service, and hold down the cost of bandwidth."
In its present configuration, Enron Communications Pure IP network will transport data at speeds
of 2.4 Gbps (OC48) on each DWDM channel. Enron will deploy this backbone through use of
CIENA MultiWave Sentry's DirectConnect functionality in conjunction with deployment of Cisco
Systems 12000 series Gigabit Switch Routers (GSRs). The Cisco 12000 will interface directly
into CIENA's DWDM system interfaces at 2.4 Gbps, without the need for additional intermediate
network elements such as SONET terminal multiplexers.
ABOUT ENRON Enron Communications is building long-haul fiber-optic networks on strategic
routes throughout the United States in an effort to create a data-centric national fiber optic
backbone. Enron Communications will focus on the wholesale bandwidth needs of the
telecommunications service providers. Enron Corp. is one of the world's leading integrated natural
gas and electricity companies. The company, which owns approximately $28 billion in assets,
produces electricity and natural gas, develops, constructs and operates energy and water facilities
worldwide and delivers physical commodities and risk management and financial services to
customers around the world. Enron's internet address is enron.com, the stock is
traded under the ticker symbol, "ENE."
*M2 COMMUNICATIONS DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY FOR INFORMATION
PROVIDED WITHIN M2 PRESSWIRE. DATA SUPPLIED BY NAMED
PARTY/PARTIES.*
|
