Osicom Launches the Gigamux
SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 24, 1997--
GigaMux(tm) Beams New Life into Existing Fiber
Increasing Bandwidth Sixteen Fold with
Total Data Format Transparency
Osicom Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:FIBR), today announced the
launch of its GigaMux line of dense wavelength division multiplexers
(DWDM) for Metropolitan service providers. GigaMux accepts any data
format transparently - an important criterion for Metro service
providers - at breakthrough prices. This combination of features
enables carriers to satiate huge demand for more bandwidth by
deploying DWDM equipment at an accelerated pace.
According to Mathew Steinberg, senior analyst at Ryan,
Hankin & Kent, "DWDM has clearly been adopted by all of the long
distance carriers as an option to upgrade the capacity of their
networks. The next growth sectors will be the intermediate and short
haul segments. For adoption of DWDM, these market segments require a
lower cost structured product than the long haul segment. Osicom's
GigaMux DWDM product is aimed for the short-haul market."
GigaMux transforms existing fiber from a dedicated,
single-application medium into a versatile conduit capable of
simultaneously transporting up to 16 independent optical channels thus
increasing total bandwidth from 2.5 GPS to 40 GPS. Further, the
GigaMux system can be configured for simplex, full duplex, or a
combination of simplex and duplex operation. Traffic types supported
include Switched Gigabit Ethernet, FDDI, ESCON, OC-1 through OC-48,
and even proprietary digital signals as part of its total data format
transparent operation.
Metro service providers are today caught on the horns of a
cost/bandwidth dilemma. Demand for bandwidth has been growing at an
exponential rate, especially in the Metro markets. This is due to the
increased demand for voice and video, as well as the unanimous
adoption of the Internet/intranets as a global information medium.
However, deployment of DWDM has not been an option for Metro carriers
as a means to increase their fiber capacity because of its high price.
The GigaMux breaks through this Metro cost/bandwidth dilemma with
a DWDM solution that multiplies bandwidth of existing fiber at
breakthrough prices. "Until now it was true that high costs prevented
Metro service providers from deploying DWDM equipment in short-haul
applications," agrees Dr. Xin Cheng, president of Osicom's broadband
division. "Furthermore, competition among Metro service providers is
intense and their success depends on delivering a broad mix of
applications - any type of data, voice, or video - on short notice and
without making a huge investment. GigaMux provides the data
transparency - which they need - making it their best alternative to
laying new fiber," Cheng adds.
Transparency is critical in Metro applications where data formats
and rates can vary over a wide range. Unlike most other DWDM products,
the GigaMux does not require add-on translators or modules to
transparently handle different data rates or formats.
Due to a dynamic business environment that requires "on-demand"
service, another important consideration for Metro carriers is
scalability with a low-cost entry-level configuration. "A fully
functional GigaMux system can start with one active channel and later
be expanded without interruption to existing channel traffic. At
Gigabit data rates, error free expansion is essential since a
one-second interruption could impact a billion bits of information,"
states Don Buell, Osicom's product manager for GigaMux.
The GigaMux's entry level configuration also delivers DWDM
benefits to industrial parks and campus environments. "We are
experiencing increasing demand for GigaMux from cost-conscious campus
and industrial environments. Because of our entry level configuration,
scalability, and data transparency, more and more organizations are
choosing virtual fiber over laying new fiber," concludes Buell.
For example, the product is currently undergoing trials at NASA,
by Dynacs Engineering, a technical services subcontractor, at Kennedy
Space Center in Florida. NASA is considering the GigaMux as a solution
for carrying mission critical digital video signals from the launch
pad to Launch Control Center over fiber optic cable.
More on GigaMux
Complete system management is provided through craft Async, modem
and Ethernet interfaces. Osicom offers a broad range of NMS systems
and GUI applications for current and next generation network
management systems. Management protocol choices include Terminal,
TELNET, SNMP, TFTP, ITU q3/TMN and ITU FTAM. The entry level system is
OsicomView for Windows. Osicom offers GUI applications for current
generation HP OpenView UNIX platforms running on Sun SOLARIS or HP/UX.
Osicom's deluxe next generation system is OsicomView for NT
server, featuring a continuous updating SQL database of status and
configuration and a full suite of reporting tools. Osicom's use of
Microsoft's IIS offers secure Web-based access to database reports and
end-to-end status views of individual customer circuits. A q3
"north-bound" interface to TMN NMS platforms is optional. SNMP
managers such as HP OpenView NNM, IBM NetView, and Sun SunNet Manager,
can manage GigaMux using MIBII and Enterprise MIBs.
The GigaMux employs fully passive multiplexer/demultiplexer
(mux/demux) modules which significantly increases its reliability and
provides an additional layer of protection for valuable data traffic.
Unlike other systems which require active temperature control to
maintain critical wavelength stability, variations in temperature and
power will not affect the performance of GigaMux's mux/demux modules.
An optional Protection Switching Module provides an added measure
of safety for critical applications. The module allows users to route
an identical signal through two separate physical paths thereby
eliminating system crashes due to conditions such as trenching and ice
storms. The product provides automatic switchover with management
reporting.
The GigaMux can also arbitrarily designate signal direction on a
channel-by-channel basis. A single fiber pair can support any
combination from 32 simplex channels to 16 full duplex channels. This
feature provides users with complete flexibility in designing and
reconfiguring a network as demands and requirements evolve.
The GigaMux system can span up to 80 km in its standard
configuration. An enhanced GigaMux system with an optical amplifier is
available for even greater distances - up to 120 km between nodes.
Because OC-3 and OC-12 are the most common input channels, Osicom
developed an expanded distance feature for input channels in OC-1
through OC-12 range. This also allows for transmission up to 120 km
without optical amplifiers.
Pricing
GigaMux entry-level prices starts at $35,000 for a single-channel
configuration and $225,000 for full 16-channel configuration.
About Osicom
Osicom is an innovative leader in wireless-enabled networking(tm)
and photonic networking. The company allows businesses to connect
through wire-line, fiber and wireless technologies, thereby expanding
the reach of conventional networking. Osicom offers solutions for LAN,
WAN and broadband networks with products that include hubs and
switches, routers, remote access servers, network print servers, PC
and workstation adapter cards, video switches and multiplexers. Osicom
markets and sells its products and services through a broad array of
channels including worldwide distributors (including, Ingram Micro,
Tech Data, and Merisel), value added resellers (VARs), OEMs, carriers,
and government agencies. The company has over 1000 employees worldwide
and is headquartered in Santa Monica, California.
Information about Osicom's products and services is available by
calling toll-free 888-OSICOM8. For additional company, product and
financial information visit the Osicom worldwide web site,
osicom.com
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.
GigaMux is a trademark of Osicom Technologies, Inc. All other
brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.
CONTACT: Boston Communications Osicom Technologies, Inc.
Constantine Theodoropulos Don Buell
Public Relations GigaMux Product Marketing
617.912.1100 800.359.7710
ctheo@bcomm.com dbuell@osicom.com |
