October 1999
News
Hammer Announces H.323 Call Generator
Hammer Technologies has announced their H.323 call load generator, Hammer.323
Call Generator. Developers and testers of IP network devices that must support many
simultaneous H.323 voice calls will have the ability to evaluate the performance of their
system while it processes up to 50 concurrent calls. Each Hammer.323 call contains real
pre-encoded G.711, G.723, or G.729a speech samples. Call duration can be varied based on
the number of prompts specified for a test. Different test scripts can be created and
stored for future use, and call destination information can be imported from a database
saving test setup time. The Hammer.323 can be used in standalone gateway IP/PBX tests
where calls are routed to a switch or handset, or when a gatekeeper is used for either
direct call routing or for instructing the Hammer.323 Call Generator where to route the
calls.
No. 501, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Sierra Wireless Ships AirCard 300 For Windows
Sierra Wireless announced the commercial shipment of the AirCard 300 for
Windows, a Type II wireless PC card solution for mobile devices supporting Windows CE, 95,
98, and NT, and for notebooks using Windows 95, 98, and NT. The AirCard 300 builds on the
technology of the AirCard 300 for Windows CE, which began shipping in February. With the
AirCard 300 for Windows, users can access the Internet using the Cellular Digital Packet
Data (CDPD) network on mobile devices with at least one Type II PC Card slot. Mobile
professionals can check e-mail, look up customer information from a corporate database,
and catch up on the news as they commute. The network interface allows them to leave the
AirCard 300 plugged in, to automatically connect to the cellular data network when
powering up or following suspend-and-resume.
No. 502, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
LANSource Standardizes On Mitel's SMART-1 Call Controllers
LANSource Technologies announced thaty they have standardized on Mitel's
SMART-1 MMD (Mitel Mini Dialer). The MMD will provide access to LANSource's network-based
communications software products, which will allow standalone fax machines to convert
faxes into files that can be transmitted over the Internet. LANSource's FAXport Virtual
Fax Networking (VFN) is being marketed to enterprises and ISP/NSPs as a value-added
service to generate revenue. The combination of LANSource's FAXport VFN and Mitel's
SMART-1 dialers is a helpful tool in converting traditional PSTN fax traffic into billable
IP fax traffic. LANSource has tested and approved the following Mitel dialers for use in
their VFN networks: SMART-1 Mitel Mini Dialer, SMART-1 Mitel Mini Dialer II, and SMART-1
Fax Business Controller.
No. 503, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Shoreline To Deliver Unified Voice Communications System Over IP
Shoreline Teleworks has expanded the capabilities of its Shoreline
Communication System to leverage the power of IP and deliver the first unified voice
communication system for distributed, mid-sized enterprises.Mid-sized companies now can
have a voice communication system across their enterprise that simply and cost-effectively
supports multiple sites while continuing to function and be managed as a unified system.
Prior to this solution from Shoreline, single voice communication systems spanning
multiple sites have been limited to large corporations willing to buy the expensive,
complex PBX systems. By leveraging the power of IP, Shoreline has built a unified voice
communication system that supports multiple sites at a fraction of the cost of the large
PBXs.
No. 504, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
ICS Advent Launches C4ATX Family
ICS Advent, formerly Industrial Computer Source, introduced the Model C4ATX
system, the first in a new line of fully integrated, high value system solutions for
virtually all rackmount applications. Featuring Intel Celeron and Pentium III processors,
the C4ATX range of standard and optional systems elements, plus robust performance, make
it an option for industrial computer acquisition and control, machine vision, IP
telephony, network serving, ISP use, and other applications. With over 35 basic system
permutations available, the C4ATX's flexibility and competitive pricing provide desktop
users with an easy, cost-effective transition to the world of rackmount systems. Other
system features that are standard with the X4ATX include a 300-Watt ATX 2.1 power supply
with high-volume cooling fan, a lockable access door to protect system drives, and
removable rack ears for benchtop applications.
No. 505, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Enhancements To Cisco IOS NetFlow Architecture Announced
Cisco Systems announced NetFlow Collector v3.0 and NetFlow Data Analyzer
v3.0, two components of the Cisco IOS NetFlow Architecture. The NetFlow Architecture
identifies IP packet flows across switches and routers in real time, and exports the data
to a variety of applications for analysis and manipulation. The enhanced Flow Collector
v3.0 and Network Data Analyzer v3.0 enable service providers to bill for usage as they
begin to offer more sophisticated capabilities and different levels of quality of service
with the network. The data exported by NetFlow software-enabled devices facilitates such
value-added applications as network management and planning; enterprise accounting and
departmental, usage-based billing; service level agreement (SLA) verification; and data
warehousing and mining for marketing purposes.
No. 506, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
DSPSE Announces Open Architechture VoIP Telephony Stack
DSP Software Engineering has announced the availability of an open
architecture voice-over-IP (VoIP) telephony stack based on DSPSE's proprietary CORE -
voice/fax/data - modem technology. CORE addresses the baseband signaling processing
required in circuit-to-packet conversion. The DSPSE telephony stack interfaces to either
the H.323, Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP), or Distriubted Open Signal Application
(DOSA) protocol stacks, providing a turnkey circuit-to-packet conversion solution. CORE is
deployed in wireless local loop, carrier class VoIP, voice-over-frame relay, satellite
networks, and DCMA digital multiplexing applications. DSPSE's computer telephony stack
supports fully compliant ITU standards, as well as proprietary algorithms including Group
3 fax relay with T.38 support, V.32bis relay and TIA wireless speech compression.
No. 507, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Catapult Intros MGCP Testing Solutions
Catapult has expanded its support for VoIP. The new MGCP Protocol Module
provides encoders and decoders for both IETF MGXP.1 and PacketCable NCS. This enhancement
to Catapult's DCT-S Test System facilities interoperability and functional testing for
manufacturers of IP-enhanced network devices for both PSTN and the DOCSIS cable networks.
One Catapult test system can run SS7, ISDN, QSIG, H.323, RTP, RTCP, and MGCP while
accommodating multiple users. By providing a comprehensive network test solution, the
modular architecture of Catapult's test system presents Catapult customers with a flexible
and cost-effective tool.
No. 508, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Lucent Selects Natural MicroSystems Gateway
Natural MicroSystems announced that its gateway has been selected by Lucent
Technologies for use in IP ExchangeComm, the first release in Lucent's IP Exchange Systems
family of Internet telephony products for small- and mid-sized businesses. Natural
MicroSystems' Fusion platform delivers connectivity and translation between the
circuit-switched PSTN and IP ExchangeComm, an IP telephony system that runs voice, data,
and fax traffic on a Microsoft Windows NT server. IP ExchangeComm includes calls
management software, which provides routing and PBX features; the Lucent IP Exchange
Adapters, which convert telephones and fax machines into IP clients; and the Natural
MicroSystems IP Telephony gateway hardware. The system can be integrated with existing
PBXs and data communications networks, allowing users to upgrade home and branch offices
with more cost-effective convergent technologies.
No. 509, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Voiceboard Unveils Octal T1/E1 Boards
Voiceboard has announced the SuperSpan Octal T1/E1 telecommunications
controller board, designed to set new performance standards for scalability and density on
CompactPCI for voice/data applications. Built on Voiceboard's MediaPro II architecture, a
fully configured SuperSpan supports 256 primary rate network ports for VoIP, V.90 modem,
G3 fax, and call control applications. SuperSpan integrates up to eight T1 or E1 primary
rate network devices, 3200 MIPS of DSP signal processing, H.110 switching, dual 10/100
Base-T Ethernet ports, and a PowerPC 740 co-processor into a 6U size cPCI board.
No. 510, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
SilkRoad Intros Next-Gen Telecom Network
SilkRoad has announced the Ambassador 3000 optical transceiver product line
for carrier-grade networks. The Ambassador 3000, based on SilkRoad Refractive
Synchronization Communication technology, utilizes a single laser on a single wavelength
to deliver increased bandwidth and mixed signal capabilities, all at a lower life cycle
cost than current technologies. Spans up to 50 km are possible without remodulation of the
signal, and the system allows for adding or dropping of any channels along the span.
Ambassador products increase network speed and capacity, and support a variety of network
security methodologies. Ambassador can also add value to an organization whose network has
fiber exhaust or needs to light dark fiber that is unable to support DWDM transmission.
No. 511, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Motorola Announces SLX Series
Motorola Computer Group (MCG) has introduced the SLX Series, the first in a
new family of Linux-based embedded platforms for Internet networking applications such as
Web access, Web security, Web caching, and virtual private networks (VPNs). This product
was developed as a result of MCG's unified strategy, which will provide MCG's OEM telecom
customers with a broad selection of Linux-based platforms, open source software, service
and support, training, and integration services. This series is targeted at telecom OEMs
building networking solutions for the growing number of ISPs, government and business
organizations, workgroups, and telecommuters requiring cost-effective access to the
Internet. It enables OEMs who are providing these networking solutions to deliver
low-cost, easy-to-use, reliable, and secure Internet connectivity.
No. 512, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Ariel, KeyLink To Provide PowerPOP Systems To ISPs
Ariel announced that KeyLink Systems is integrating Ariel's PowerPOP
architecture in systems for ISPs. KeyLink Systems will offer rack mounted, Windows
NT-based systems to ISPs based on Ariel's PowerPOP architecture and high-density 56K/ISDN
remote access cards. With Ariel's PowerPOP architecture, KeyLink Systems will be able to
offer a low-cost, flexible, high-performance platform for building ISP network operations
centers (NOCs) and points of presence (POPS). The baseline PowerPOP platform combines a PC
running Linux or Windows NT with one or more high-density Ariel RS2000 remote access PCI
plug-in cards, a LAN card, and a router. To this base platform, ISPs can add Linux- or
Windows NT-based software components such as authentication, Distributed Naming Services
(DNS), e-mail, FTP, Web servers, Web caching, news group support, and backup.
No. 513, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
VMIC Enhances High-End VMEbus SBCs
VMIC reintroduces its high-performance Pentium II (VMIVME-7696) and Pentium
III processor-based (VMIVME-7697) VMEbus SBCs with up to 512 MB of SDRAM and with 450
MHz/600 MHz speeds, respectively. Real-time OS features like 96 MB of bootable flash,
battery-backed SRAM, three 32-bit timers, and a software-programmable watchdog timer make
these SBCs ideal for high-performance embedded applications. For Windows NT and RTX
applications, a high-performance 10/100 MB Ethernet channel, and support of diskless
operation with booting from Ethernet or flash completes this SBC offering.
No. 514, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
ePHONE Telecom To Depoly TEK DigiTel Devices
ePHONE Telecom expects to deploy at least 10,000 communications devices from
TEK DigiTel in customer locations over the next six months. With distribution being set up
across Europe, and soon in North America and Asia, ePHONE's deployment strategy is to
offer its subscribers unlimited free voice and fax calls to 25 frequently called numbers
anywhere in the world, in return for carrying their other long-distance traffic at
discounts of 20-80 percent. The ePHONE service will also incorporate TEK's VoiceServer.NET
technology to offer its free group calling service. ePHONE projects an additional 75,000
units will be deployed, and some units have already been installed at distributors in
Belgium, Holland, and Portugal.
No. 515, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
MiTAC Unveils New Celeron-Based SBC
MiTAC Industrial has announced its latest full-featured Single Board Computer
(SBC), the MSC-3671A, a robust solution for the Computer Telephony Integrator and Factory
Automation applications. This SBC uses Intel's Celeron Socket 370 technology mounted on a
full-size PICMIG-compliant PC/104 expandable bus CPU card. Supporting processors at Intel
Celeron speeds up to 466 MHz and selectable 66/100 MHz bus speeds, the MSC-3671A is
designed to meet the needs of harsh applications prone to shock, vibration, and high EMI
environments. The unit is available from stock and is priced at $595 with OEM volume
discounts.
No. 516, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Toshiba, Oki Broaden VoIP Capabilities Of Strata DK424
Toshiba America Information Systems' Telecommunications Systems Division
announced an agreement with Oki Network Technologies to broaden the VoIP capabilities of
the Toshiba Strata DK424, creating a cost-effective VoIP solution for the SOHO market.
This agreement allows Toshiba to deliver VoIP technology to businesses with multiple
offices seeking a full-featured solution to bridge their public switched telephone system
and TCP/IP networks. Using Oki's Internet Voice Gateway with the Strata DK424, customers
can route both voice and fax traffic through any new or existing data WAN infrastructure,
such as point-to-point, frame relay, VPN, or the Internet.
No. 517, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Ficon Announces MPLS Software For Carrier-Class IP Networks
Ficon announced the availability of its Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS)
system software called FiLS (Ficon's Label Switching Solution). MPLS is a technology for
high-performance packet switching that assigns "labels" to units of data for
transport across packet, cell, or frame-based networks. FiLS MPLS will enable equipment
suppliers to add the functionality of a label switch router (LSR) to any access or core
network element, such as ATM and frame relay switches. Ficon's MPLS solution can be
applied to any Layer-2 platform and provides the required feature for both edge and core
MPLS devices.
No. 518, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Lucent Unveils 48-Port 10/100 Mbps Module
Lucent Technologies announced a new 48-port 10/100 Mbps Ethernet module for
its Cajun P550 Gigabit Switch that provides high-density connectivity from local area
network wiring closets to desktops for less than $100 per port. Up to six 48-port modules
can be used in the chassis-based P550 Switch, providing network managers with up to 288
available full-/half-duplex 10/100 ports - all in a compact, 10.5-inch platform. Customers
can mix and match this latest module with exisiting Cajun P550 media modules, including
two- and four-port GB Ethernet cards, 10-port fiber Fast Ethernet modules, and 12- and
20-port 10/100 Base-T modules to provide a high degree of flexiblity
No. 519, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Nortel Ships Unified Campus Infrastructure
Nortel Networks announced it has been shipping the company's Nortel Networks
Accelar 8000 platform and the 8100 series Edge Switch Modules for enterprise wiring closet
applications, since June. With multiple customer deployments already in place, the Accelar
8000 delivers the resilient, application-optimized performance necessary to provide true
data, telephony, and video application integration. The Accelar 8000 platform leverages
technology from the Accelar 1000 family and integrates with Optivity policy and network
management software to deliver an optimized, integrated LAN/WAN solution. When used with
Nortel's Passport Multiservice wide area network (WAN) access solutions and Inca (Internet
Communications Architecture), the Accelar family of Enterprise Networks switches provides
a complete end-to-end Quality of Service (QoS) solution to support next-generation
converged networks.
No. 520, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Ziatech Intros LinuxPCI Development System
Ziatech has introduced the first in a series of LinuxPCI development systems,
a rackmount CompactPCI development platform using the Linux operating system. Designed to
speed the development of carrier-grade computing applications, the new LinuxPCI 1000
Development System for Applied Computing combines the open CompactPCI architecture with
MontaVista Software's Hard Hat Linux software. The LinuxPCI 1000 comes with a version of
Linux that is designed specifically for embedded applications. MontaVista will supplement
the operating system's enhancements with technical support, porting, and customization
services.
No. 521, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Shomiti Systems Intro Multi-QoS
Shomiti Systems has announced their new VoIP product, Multi-QoS. Multi-QoS
allows companies to analyze voice traffic over Ethernet-based IP networks, and validate
QoS parameters presented by PSTN/IP gateways, IP switches, and IPBXs. Shomiti's new
product is targeted at carriers, equipment manufacturers, and enterprise customers.
Multi-QoS is a plug-in application to Shomiti's current Surveyor software, Surveyor 3.0.
This plug-in captures and decodes the complete H.323 family of protocols, and provides
detail and accuracy for measuring and metering multimedia streams on 10/100/1000 Ethernet
networks.
No. 522, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Plug-And-Play Router Offers Instant Broadband Access
ZyXel Communications has announced the addition of the Prestige 310 to its
expanding line of routers designed for the SOHO market. There is no end user configuring
involved. A connection to virtually any cable modem has a LAN enviroment, gaining
broadband Internet access instantly. SOHO operaters can take advantage of increased speed
and performance without taking on the additional cost of having a permanent or contract IS
engineer on staff. The Prestige 310 is equipped with both a 10 Mbps Ethernet WAN port,
which allows connection to high-bandwith cable modems, and an autosensing 10/100 Mbps
Ethernet port that provides a high-performance LAN environment.
No. 523, www.itmag.com/freeinfo
Lucent Intros Wideband Speech Coder
Lucent Technologies has announced a family of wideband speech coders that are
designed to enhance sound quality over the Internet, voice, video, and wireless networks.
Developed by Bell Labs, the ClearPresence Audio Coder delivers full sound at lower bit
rates, putting the capabilities of of wideband (7 KHz) speech quality into technologies
and applications that were orignally limited to using only narrowband (3.7 KHz)
frequencies. ClearPresence is geared as an alternative for the ITU G.722 wideband speech
coding standard. Based on testing in accordance with ITU guidelines, the ClearPresence
auido coders, at 16, 24, and 32 Kbps, exceed or equal the quality of the G.722 standard at
bit rates of 48, 56, and 64 Kbps respectively for a wide range. The coders are now
available for licencing from Lucent.
No. 524, www.itmag.com/freeinfo |