Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Ascend Communications (ASND) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: djane who wrote (46058)	5/5/1998 1:02:00 PM
From: Narotham Reddy	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 61433

Stardust Forums to Host IP Multicast Interoperability Event Helps Vendors Ready Products for Widespread Customer Deployment; Customers to Benefit from Improved Product Quality Business Wire - May 05, 1998 12:50 CAMPBELL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 5, 1998--Many of the world's leading IP Multicast product vendors will gather this June 1-5 in Campbell for the first IP Multicast Interoperability Invitational Event. The event, sponsored by Stardust Forums, will allow participating vendors to test their products for interoperability with other IP Multicast-enabled products. "The IP Multicast Interoperability Invitational is important because it will foster improved interoperability among participating vendors' products," said Martin Hall, co-chair of the IP Multicast Initiative and CTO of managing member Stardust Forums. "Customers are the primary beneficiaries of multi-vendor interoperability bake-offs, because these events invariably improve product quality." World's Leading IP Multicast Vendors Demonstrate Commitment to Open Standards The five-day event will feature the active participation of numerous companies who are committed to IP Multicast interoperability. Participating vendors include Ascend Communications (NASDAQ:ASND), EMULive Imaging Corporation, Fore Systems (NASDAQ:FORE), Ganymede Software, Gilat Satellite Networks (NASDAQ:GILTF), Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HWP), IBM (NYSE:IBM), ICAST, Packet Engines, Packeteer, StarBurst Communications, Torrent Networking and others. Five Day Event Features In Depth Interoperability Testing The IP Multicast Interoperability Invitational will feature five days of in depth interoperability testing. Products from participating vendors will be tested in various network environments. Participating engineering teams from each vendor will work closely with one-another to identify interoperability issues and resolve problems on the spot. In the spirit of Internet technology interoperability testing, test results will remain confidential. During the event, participating engineers will contribute to the development of a robust test matrix, which will provide guidelines for evaluating multiple interoperability concerns. Interoperability concerns addressed by the matrix include network management tools; diagnostic tools; routing protocols with various edge considerations; WinSock 2 stack support; IGMP interoperability; and IGMP snooping. Switches will be tested for 802.1p interoperability. Stardust to Document Interoperability Guidelines In addition to dramatically improving product interoperability, knowledge learned during the event is expected to contribute to best practices for IP Multicast deployment. Following the event, Stardust Forums will draw on this knowledge to author an interoperability guidelines document designed to assist end-user organizations who plan to deploy IP Multicast. The guidelines will form the basis of an entire chapter in the second edition of the IP Multicast Deployment Guide, a comprehensive workbook and step-by-step planning guide for deploying IP Multicast. The Deployment Guide which will be published in late June, and is offered at an introductory price of $99 per copy. Vendors Speak out about IP Multicast Interoperability Invitational Event Ascend Communications "Ascend welcomes the opportunity to participate in the IP Multicast Interoperability Invitational test as part of our ongoing efforts to deliver carrier-class solutions that support IP Multicast standards," said Fred Sammartino, Director of IP Marketing, Ascend Communications Inc., Core Systems Division. "Our service provider customers are very interested in IP Multicast and the benefits and services it promises. As a member of the IPMI Forum, Ascend is committed to helping customers realize these benefits. Industry-wide interoperability testing is an important step toward the early acceptance and adoption of new technologies such as these that are required for the next generation of Internet capabilities." EMULive Imaging Corporation "We are extremely pleased to be participating in Stardust's IP Multicast Interoperability Event," said Jory Anick, chief technology officer of Montreal-based EMULive Imaging Corporation. "This event presents the opportunity for us to discuss with our worldwide counterparts the possibility of creating partnerships as well as strategic alliances." Fore Systems "IP multicasting is a critical component of the emerging multi-service network environment," commented Ashok Madanahalli, FORE Systems' product line manager for ATM internetworking. "Without it, video delivery and even data replication services consume too much bandwidth to be practical. With IP multicast protocols, workstations and servers specify which 'feeds' are of interest to them, and networking devices like our PowerHub and ES-3810 family deliver the multicast traffic as needed." Hewlett Packard Company "HP is testing its networking solutions, including HP-UX servers, workstations and ProCurve switches, at the IP Multicast Interoperability Invitational," said Jan Bell, worldwide marketing manager at HP's Workgroup Networks Division. "This marks a significant milestone in the successful deployment of IP Multicast." IBM "IBM, as a charter member of the IPMI, is dedicated to providing standards-based solutions for efficient information distribution and management," said Don Haile, Vice-President of Development for IBM's Network Hardware Division. "Interoperability events are crucial to guaranteeing customer satisfaction in a multi-vendor environment. IBM's complete e-business solutions include IP Multicast capabilities for the most efficient use of network resources." ICAST "ICAST believes that interoperability is where the rubber of open standards meets the road of implementation," said Brian Smithson, director of product management at ICAST. "A multi-vendor focus on interoperability can move the whole industry toward interoperability, create a spirit of community among the vendors, and provide invaluable feedback to the standards process. The IP Multicast Invitational Interoperability Event will benefit the industry and customers alike." Packeteer "Packeteer looks forward enthusiastically to this event," Peter Schein, director of product marketing at Packeteer. "IP Multicast interoperability represents Packeteer's commitment to industry standards and reinforces Packeteer's position as the leader in multi-protocol, multi-service bandwidth management for business-critical applications on wide-area networks." Packet Engines "Packet Engines is excited to include the PowerRail Enterprise Routing Switch in the IP Multicast Interoperability Invitational," said Kevin Sheehan, director of product marketing at Packet Engines. "With the rapid growth of IP Multicast applications, users need to be assured of multi-vendor interoperability. This event provides Packet Engines an excellent forum in which to demonstrate standards-compliance and interoperability, and to reaffirm our leadership in high performance networking." Torrent Networking Technologies "Torrent is very enthusiastic about this event," said Lou Martinage, Director of Product Marketing at Torrent Networking Technologies. "We look forward to demonstrating full multivendor interoperability for the unmatched multicast routing capabilities of our IP9000 Gigabit Router." About the IP Multicast Initiative Founded in 1996, the IPMI is a multi-vendor cooperative effort to promote the deployment of industry-standard IP Multicast technology. The IPMI is managed by Stardust Forums, a division of Stardust Technologies. The IP Multicast Initiative's web address is ipmulticast.com About Stardust Stardust Forums, based in Campbell, is a leading provider of emerging Internet technology forums and events for market stimulation, expansion and education. Stardust develops new technology markets by building and managing communities of vendors to achieve common goals. Stardust also produces and manages educational events focused on these leading edge Internet technologies, protocols and standards.

To: djane who wrote (46058)	5/5/1998 1:09:00 PM
From: Narotham Reddy	Respond to of 61433

A Big DSL Payoff, Networkers Get Prepared Investors Business Daily, Tuesday, May 05, 1998 at 12:22 Data networking giants are squaring off over an Internet connection market that could be the next wave - or a washout. They're fighting for a hunk of digital subscriber line, or DSL, equipment sales. DSLs are digital phone lines that are 10 to 30 times faster than traditional modems. "It's opening up an entirely new area for data networking," said Rick Edson, senior vice president of new business initiatives at networking titan 3Com Corp. "This high-speed connection is going to be like power was in the (early) 1900s. People are going to wonder how they did without it." 3Com is among a who's who of networking companies in the DSL market. Others include Cisco Systems Inc., Bay Networks Inc., Ascend Communications Inc. and Cabletron Systems Inc. In an industry dominated by complex technology, DSL's simplicity is an asset, says Ashok Dhawan, Ascend's general manager of high- speed access products. "It's the most easily understood technology today," he said. "I can tell a high school kid what it is, and he wants it. Maybe he can't afford it, but he understands it. I've never heard anyone tell me that the Internet is too fast for them." Slowing networking sales are spurring companies to seek new profitable markets. DSL seems promising. But standards that will make products from different companies work together aren't expected until next year and could stall the market. Regardless, no one wants to be the last one to the party. "The plan is to be in DSL in case it works," said David Cooperstein, an analyst with Forrester Research Inc. in Cambridge, Mass. "It's not clear if it's going to take off. There's a lot of meandering and there's a lot of tension around the industry." Companies that offer DSL gear will win -whether they connect the consumer to the network or simply provide heavy-duty equipment - says Tim McElgunn, analyst with Dataquest Inc. in San Jose, Calif. Volume is another essential ingredient, he adds. "It will be over the next couple of years when we'll be able to see who will dominate," McElgunn said. For some, the question is getting in on the game. No. 4 networking firm Cabletron admits it has been slow about unveiling its DSL strategy, says Michael Leland, the company's director of telecom marketing. But the company plans to roll out a host of DSL equipment in the next six to nine months, he says. "The media hype definitely came long before the market was ready," Leland said. "We've intentionally stayed a little bit in the shadows. That way when we announce, it doesn't fall on deaf ears." Networking companies also must take on such telecommunications companies as Lucent Technologies Inc. and Northern Telecom Ltd. These companies are interested in moving aggressively into this embryonic market and in building the equipment usually reserved for networking companies. "I think the winners are going to be the ones who have the products now," said John Kasha, Ascend's DSL product manager. "The race is on to see which companies can get there first." And if a company can't create DSL products soon enough, then they may try to buy those that can. Consolidation has begun even before the market has made serious money. True to its acquiring nature, Cisco has led the way with a buying spree of three firms to spruce up its DSL product line. Its most recent purchase was Austin, Texas-based NetSpeed in April. "The vultures are starting to circle," Forrester's Cooperstein said. "Cisco picking up NetSpeed is a good indication that DSL isn't a standalone business." But the uncertain situation over DSL standards doesn't make telephone companies or Internet service providers want to buy large amounts of equipment, Dataquest's McElgunn says. A standard is expected by late this year or early next. "If the endgame is to get (DSL modems) into CompUSA, they need a standard," McElgunn said. Enzo Signore, Cisco's manager for DSL product marketing, says the lack of a standard won't hold back DSL. That's because a DSL supplier, such as a telephone carrier, supplies everything to the customer, including a modem, Signore says. It doesn't matter if the carrier's DSL technology is incompatible with another company's DSL brand; it's all coming from one source, he says. "It won't be a reason for slowing down or speeding up the market," Signore said. Ascend plans to expand its already commanding presence in the Internet service provider market with its DSL offerings this year. Ascend has had DSL products out for two years and plans another major push in the fall. Networking companies will benefit in more ways than in sales of equipment to DSL providers, says 3Com's Edson. Faster networks need speedier equipment in all segments, not just DSL. This year is expected to mark the biggest DSL product push by the networking companies. It follows a lackluster '97, Edson says. "(Last year) was a year of a fair amount of players . . . hype and very little reality," Edson said. "This starts to enable, from our point of view, a great amount of market growth." Kieran Taylor, Bay's DSL product marketing manager, says the new technology is simply a way to get information to its destination. Therefore, it will become a commodity product, he says. Networking companies will make their money by selling services that can run on DSL such as voice over IP (Internet Protocol), Taylor says. DSL could be giving major networks a kick-start by '99 and '00. "That's why we're treating it so aggressively right now," Taylor said.