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FORE Systems Announces Breakthrough Wave Division Multiplexing Capabilities For Its ASX-4000 ATM Switch
Industry's Most Cost Effective, High Capacity ATM Switch, Now With Integrated WDM, on Display at ComNet '99
WASHINGTON, ComNet '99, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- FORE Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: FORE - news), a leading global supplier of multiservice networking solutions, today announced it has integrated cutting-edge wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) functionality into its ForeRunner® ASX(TM)-4000, the industry's highest performance ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) switch. Ideally suited for emerging service provider networks and large enterprise networks, the ASX-4000 has been enhanced with OC48c WDM interfaces to increase transmission speeds for long-distance networking.
FORE Systems' integrated WDM solution, announced on the opening day of the ComNet '99 exhibition (booth #1426), reduces the cost and complexity of network upgrades by leveraging the existing fiber plant and eliminating the need to add expensive new fiber or separate dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) equipment.
More and more service providers are looking to deploy ATM at the core of their networks to expand capacity to meet increased customer bandwidth requirements and maximize ATM backbone services while managing cost. WDM technology, combined with cost-effective FORE switching solutions, delivers what service providers desire: integrated low-cost, high-capacity switching and transmission.
FORE's WDM Reduces Costs, Could Grow Revenue Streams
According to John Morency, vice president, network solutions of the consultancy Renaissance Worldwide, Lincoln, Massachusetts, ''FORE's WDM capabilities will enable service providers to save costs and, at the same time, generate new revenue streams, a must for any service provider looking to compete long into the new millennium.''
The WDM capability is achieved through the use of a new four channel wavelength division multiplexer module for the ASX-4000 ATM Switch. Fiber constrained plants that don't require the massive scalability of long haul DWDM can now cost effectively scale bandwidth capacity in ways they never could before. Because the new WDM-capable port cards use 1550 nm optics, the new port cards can directly interconnect networks at distances up to 65 km. This can be extended to over 100 km with off-the-shelf optical line amplifiers.
''Integrated WDM is a significant addition to FORE's industry leading technology,'' said Niel Viljoen, senior vice president and general manager, Service Provider Business Unit, FORE Systems. ''We have augmented the ASX-4000 to meet the increasing demands of service provider metropolitan area networks. Gaining strategic advantage in competitive service markets requires cost savings and efficiencies, coupled with the ability to differentiate and more rapidly respond to market opportunities. FORE's strategic initiative with the enhanced ASX-4000 allows service providers to keep up with customer demand for higher bandwidth Internet connectivity, virtual private networks and voice services.''
FORE's integrated WDM solution takes full advantage of the ASX-4000's resiliency features. It allows for multiple ATM links to be connected between switches using ForeThought® software's unique Capacity-Aware Routing(TM) and Dynamic Protection Switching(TM) features.
Compatibility and Interopability Features
FORE's new solution conforms to the ITU (International Telecommunications Union) 200 GHz channel spacing standard and utilizes wavelengths specified by the Multiwavelength Optical Networking (MONET) Consortium - a group that is chartered with advancing networks capable of supporting all currently employed or proposed telecommunications standards.
Because standard wavelengths are used, the WDM-capable port cards can connect directly to third-party DWDM gear, bypassing the need for extra equipment to perform the 1310 to 1550 nm conversion. FORE has verified direct passive optical connection to the Osicom Gigamux(TM) - the winner of Data Communications Magazine's Hot Product Award for DWDM, 1999.
Availability
The new WDM-capable OC-48c port cards and passive optical multiplexer will be available for the ASX-4000 beginning March, 1999.
About FORE Systems
FORE Systems is a leading global supplier of networking solutions based on an Intelligent Infrastructure(TM) designed to handle the networked applications of today and tomorrow.
FORE's Networks of Steel(TM) deliver the increased capacity, reduced complexity and unparalleled flexibility and scalability necessary to build networks that last. Thousands of enterprise and service provider customers worldwide have put FORE Systems' solutions at the heart of their networks. For more information on FORE's Networks of Steel, call 888-404-0444 or visit the FORE Systems web site at fore.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to products, partners, customers, future growth and other matters. Please refer to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by FORE Systems with the Securities and Exchange Commission in June, 1998, and the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed by FORE Systems in August, 1998, and November, 1998, for a discussion of risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements.
All FORE Systems' editorial information and graphics can be found on NEWSdesk, the high-tech Internet Network at newsdesk.com.
FORE Systems, ForeRunner and ForeThought are registered trademarks of FORE Systems, Inc. Intelligent Infrastructure, ASX, Capacity-Aware Routing, Dynamic Protection Switching and Networks of Steel are trademarks of FORE Systems, Inc. All other brands or product names are trademarks of their respective holders.
SOURCE: FORE Systems, Inc. |
