FWIW--
Friday June 4, 9:01 am Eastern Time
Osicom Unveils Strategy for the Next
Generation GigaMux Metro DWDM
Management at the Optical Layer is Vital Next Step to Achieving All Optical
Networking
SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 4, 1999--Osicom Technologies, Inc.
(Nasdaq NM:FIBR - news), a market leader in metropolitan DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division
Multiplexing) systems, today unveiled its strategy for establishing the next-generation GigaMux(tm)
Metro DWDM system as the foundation for transporting IP-centric data traffic directly over all
optical metro networks with the introduction of the LambdaGuard(tm) management family. This
strategy features next-generation GigaMux management capabilities that will enable carriers
deploying all optical metro networks to cost effectively monitor performance, protect, and provision
channels - all at the optical wavelength level.
To date, Synchronous Optical NETworking (SONET) and Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH)
have proven to be high capacity transport solutions that are extremely reliable and easily managed.
However, the exponential growth of data traffic, which has now surpassed voice traffic, and the
ubiquity of IP (Internet Protocol) are beginning to expose the limitations of transporting data over a
network originally designed for voice telephony applications. The LambdaGuard management family
is designed to provide superior reliability and functionality, while at the same time reducing latency
and costs by eliminating unnecessary equipment currently needed for managing optical networks.
''By designing optical layer management and protection capabilities into GigaMux, we will bring
SONET and SDH's long relied upon functionality to our metro DWDM solution,'' said Dr. Xin
Cheng, Osicom's President. ''This will enable carriers to implement reliable and manageable optical
data networks that transport IP, Gigabit Ethernet, and ATM in their native formats over new and
existing fiber plants in ring and other topologies. This next-generation optical layer management will
provide performance monitoring, protection, and provisioning all the way from the system level down
to individual wavelengths and protocols.''
''First generation DWDM systems primarily addressed the core transport market,'' said Cheng.
''Osicom's second generation DWDM system delivered a high-end transport platform that also
encompassed the emerging optical access market through our EPC(tm) and DWDN(tm)
technologies. Our third generation of optical networking products will expand these core transport
and access capabilities while providing total end-to-end service and management to create true self
sufficient optical networks.''
Osicom's next-generation GigaMux DWDM strategy will initially feature the following three core
products, which will evolve into a robust and comprehensive management system at the optical layer
for the entire GigaMux product family. Each of these core products may be used independently or in
concert with other GigaMux products to deliver customized management capabilities for the
customer.
GigaMux LambdaPath(tm)
LambdaPath is an IP-based optical service channel for the core GigaMux DWDM system which
allows GigaMux equipment to be remotely provisioned and monitored using the same fiber that is
carrying the end-user traffic. This extra channel can be used for in-band management services via
standard Internet Protocol (IP) based network connections. Unlike SONET-based service channels
that are restricted by speed and data format, LambdaPath is IP-based and therefore capable of
carrying multiservice traffic at much higher speeds. LambdaPath also supports inter-module
communications, allowing multiple GigaMux systems to act in concert to monitor, detect and correct
network problems.
''Basing the service channel on standard IP allows us to support a wider range of management
services, including voice and video intercom directly over the service channel,'' said Ron Mackey,
Osicom's Executive Vice President of Technology. ''Providing an IP service channel enables a
technician to cost effectively plug just about anything into the channel and send information to another
GigaMux system or to a central service facility.''
GigaMux LambdaView(tm)
LambdaView is a probe that can optically sample all 32 GigaMux channels simultaneously and
provide diagnostic and performance information for each wavelength. This optical probe is able to
diagnose optical signal integrity and other wavelength-based operational parameters simultaneously.
LambdaView information can also be passed across the LambdaPath optical service channel so that
multiple GigaMux systems can share diagnostic information with one another and perform
system-wide management throughout its network management system.
''As we move towards all-optical networking, it is necessary for DWDM systems to communicate
with each other to provide automatic provisioning, tuning and monitoring of network-wide
operations,'' added Mackey. ''This new set of features makes it easier to detect errors, failures or
problems on individual channels. By monitoring all channels simultaneously, LambdaView can
provide much more diagnostic and performance information and make it available to the
management system.''
GigaMux LambdaGuard Personality(tm) modules
LambdaGuard Personality is a module that resides at the edge of the DWDM network to analyze a
protocol specific signal on an individual channel as it enters or leaves the DWDM-based optical
network. LambdaGuard Personality Modules work with the standard GigaMux system to provide
protocol specific analysis on an individual channel.
''GigaMux's unique design enables it to carry virtually any protocol at any bit rate. This is the most
cost effective and flexible solution for the vast majority of metropolitan networks,'' said Mackey.
''However, there are times when it may be desirable to perform extended management or
monitoring on an individual channel, such as Gigabit Ethernet and IBM's ESCON and ISC
protocols, and LambdaGuard Personality is a perfect answer to this need.''
Osicom plans to fully integrate the LambdaGuard management family with its 32-channel GigaMux
Metro DWDM system in its fourth quarter. The LambdaGuard management family is being designed
to work with new and existing GigaMux systems.
Osicom will be in booth #6123 at SuperComm '99 in Atlanta, June 9-11, 1999.
Osicom's Metro DWDM Product Family
Osicom's GigaMux(tm) line of Metro DWDM transforms a single fiber into a high-performance
transmission system capable of transporting 80 Gbps of network traffic transparently over ring,
mesh, and point-to-point topologies. Through Osicom's revolutionary EPC(tm) and DWDN(tm)
technologies, the GigaMux also addresses the optical access market by providing sub-rate
multiplexing and direct optical connections to customer premise equipment. Through
LambdaGuard(tm) technology, the third generation of GigaMux survivable optical networking
systems provide total end-to-end service and management capabilities to create true self sufficient
optical networks.
About Osicom
Osicom Technologies is a leading provider of integrated networking and bandwidth aggregation
solutions for enhancing the performance of existing data and telecommunications networks. The
Company combines expertise across multiple disciplines to offer fiber transport, remote access,
virtual private networking, video switching and transport, and network systems-on-silicon to carrier
and enterprise customers. The Company brings value to its customers by offering end-to-end, single
vendor solutions as an integrated set. Osicom's offerings feature open architectures, offer complete
scalability and fully support industry standards. The Company's flagship products are the GigaMux
family of Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexers (DWDM) for short-haul Metro applications, the
NET+ARM system-on-silicon for network connectivity, and the IQX-200 family of scaleable
Remote Access Servers.
For additional company, product or financial information, visit the Osicom website,
www.osicom.com, or call toll free 888-OSICOM8. For calls originating outside the United States,
call 301-317-7710.
GigaMux, EPC, and DWDN are trademarks of Osicom Technologies, Inc.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this news release are
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements in
this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially due to a variety of factors, including without
limitation the company's ability to develop, produce, and market products that incorporate new
technology on a timely basis, that are priced competitively and achieve significant market
acceptance; higher expenses associated with the development and marketing of new products;
changes in product mix; risks of dependence on third-party component suppliers; inventory risks due
to shifts in market demand; the presence of competitors with broader product lines and greater
financial resources; intellectual property rights and litigation; needs for liquidity; and the other risks
detailed from time to time in the company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Contact:
Boston Communications Worldwide
Constantine Theodoropulos
Industry Public Relations
617/912-1100
ctheo@bcww.com
or
Allen & Caron Inc
Damon Wright (Investor Relations)
714/957-8440
damon@allencaron.com
or
Owen Daley (Financial/Business Media)
714/957-8440
owen@allencaron.com
biz.yahoo.com
Steve
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