April 1999

Headlines

• Lucent Adds IP To Systems
• IBM, Bellcore, Trillium Join Sun Java Initiative
• Nokia, UP Announce WAP Interoperability Testing
• Analogical Delivers VoIP Gateway Design
• Cisco Multilayer Switches Support Voice
• ECI Telecom Launches Gateway, Gatekeeper For IP Voice, Fax
• NetSpeak Announces Client For Voice-Enabled E-Commerce
• SOSINC, Solectek Report VoIP, Ethernet Testing
• Solidum Intros Fast Packet Processing
• TIA Creates IP Phone Standard, Wireless Project
• Stanford Telecom To Supply Broadband To Toshiba
• Dynarc Delivers DTM-Based Switches
• Telogy Adds Universal Access To Voice, Fax/IP
• 3Com Preps Complete Internet Telephony System Shipment
• UltiVerse Releases Internet Telephony Server
• Perimeter Intros Real-Time Web/Agent ACD
• CPS Unveils Call Waiting Switch
• Lucent Unveils VoIP Solution For Service Providers
• Fibex Systems Unveils DLC Access Line
• 3Com Supplies PBX For Single, Converged Network
• ADTRAN Extends Series With FR, ISDN
• Texas Micro Targets Internet/Telecom Markets With System

News

Lucent Adds IP To Systems
Lucent Technologies has announced software and hardware - in the new DEFINITY IP Solutions - to add Internet telephony capabilities to its flagship DEFINITY Enterprise Communications Server (ECS) and DEFINITY ProLogix Solutions for the mid-sized and large business markets. Developed by Bell Labs, DEFINITY IP Solutions can allow businesses to send voice and fax communications over their LANs, intranets, WANs, and the Internet. Included is a software upgrade for the DEFINITY system - available on a trunk card; a SoftPhone, designed to allow a PC or laptop to operate as a fully featured phone; and an IP telephone deskset. The software can operate both as an IP gateway and gatekeeper and allows users to leverage system applications such as voice mail, CTI, wireless, and call control features. In addition, it enables IP telephones to communicate with analog, digital, and ISDN phones on the DEFINITY network and can support H.323, TAPI, TSAPI, and JTAPI.
No. 501, www.itmag.com/freeinfo

IBM, Bellcore, Trillium Join Sun Java Initiative
IBM Corp., Bellcore, and Trillium Digital Systems have joined the Java In Advanced Intelligent Networks (JAIN) initiative led by Sun Microsystems. IBM and Bellcore plan to work with Sun to extend the JAIN initiative into the new area of IN application service creation environments. The working group expects to focus on developing interfaces that are compliant with JAIN specs for IN applications independent of the underlying network infrastructure - whether PSTN or IP. Bellcore and Trillium aim to help define JAIN standards for SS7 protocol stacks. JAIN is a telecom industry framework - based on Sun's JavaBeans component architecture - designed to spur a new wave of telecom services blending Internet and IN technologies, in order to drive convergence between traditional voice networks and IP-based data networks and to enable service portability.
No. 502, www.itmag.com/freeinfo

Nokia, UP Announce WAP Interoperability Testing
Nokia and Unwired Planet (UP) have begun interoperability testing between the two companies' products. Both cofounders of the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) Forum, the companies expect Nokia's handsets with the Nokia WAP microbrowser to be compatible with UP's UP.Link Server. The WAP Forum has published a global wireless protocol specification for all wireless networks, expected to be contributed to appropriate standard bodies; WAP is a de facto standard for Internet content and advanced telephony services in digital mobile phones and other wireless terminals. "Achieving compatibility between Nokia's handsets and UP's servers will enable carriers to rapidly roll out world-class services," said UP Chair and CEO Alain Rossmann.
No. 505, www.itmag.com/freeinfo

Analogical Delivers VoIP Gateway Design
Analogical Systems has announced the availability of the VoicePump 'C6x, a complete reference design for VoIP gateways, based on Texas Instruments' TMS320C6x family. VoicePump 'C6x can offer several times the channel density of existing VoIP solutions and is capable of 30 channels of fully compliant ITU-T G.729a speech coding and associated signaling per DSP. The product is available as a licensable 'C6x software package or as a complete, ready-to-run design, which consists of a board design package, host software for Windows NT (including an H.323 protocol stack), as well as all TMS320C6201 software for speech coding, echo cancellation, and signaling. Company President Cole Erskine reports the company plans to support a 4-processor PCI board design and an 8-processor CompactPCI board design this year, and that the 8-processor design will be capable of 240 voice ports on a single CompactPCI board.
No. 503, www.itmag.com/freeinfo

Cisco Multilayer Switches Support Voice
Cisco Systems has announced that the Catalyst 5000 series and Catalyst 5500 series are capable of supporting voice and Internet telephony through new, optimized ASIC-based hardware and intelligent software able to provide extensive QoS for advanced voice applications across LANs and WANs. These new options allow customers increased flexibility and control over the network so that delay-sensitive voice traffic is delivered through ranging infrastructure devices. Key components allowing voice to be switched in the LAN by the Catalyst 5000 family are voice-enabled ASICs on the NetFlow Feature Card II for the Catalyst Supervisor III engine - designed to provide the ability to recognize, classify, and prioritize voice traffic at Layers 3 and 4. In the WAN, the Cisco Route Switch Module running new Cisco IOS 12.0 software can set up, maintain, and monitor voice traffic. Voice has also been enabled on the Catalyst 5500 series through circuit emulation services (CES) on Cisco's enterprise ATM solutions.
No. 507, www.itmag.com/freeinfo

ECI Telecom Launches Gateway, Gatekeeper For IP Voice, Fax
ECI Telecom has announced the launch of its ITX I-GATE 180 Internet telephony gateway and gatekeeper, designed to enable delivery of high-quality voice and fax services over IP networks. The central office, carrier-class solution can support up to 8 T1/E1s of PSTN traffic to offer simultaneous voice, real-time fax, and enhanced data services over IP networks. The product is supported by a fully functional selection of back office business subsystems designed to handle calling card services, CDR processing, network management, provisioning, and account management. The network's support also includes remote inband and out-of-band management and control, user authentication/verification, LCR, and capacity planning.
No. 512, www.itmag.com/freeinfo

NetSpeak Announces Client For Voice-Enabled E-Commerce
NetSpeak Corporation has announced Mini WebPhone 4.0, a thin Internet telephony client for voice-enabled e-commerce solutions. Based on WebPhone software, Mini WebPhone can help businesses enhance their Web sites with real-time voice communications. With NetSpeak's suite of Internet telephony products, Mini WebPhone can enable businesses to integrate their Web sites with sales and customer service representatives. Mini WebPhone is accessible to online customers, who can simply click on an icon and connect with a live representative via the Internet. Designed as a streamlined subset of WebPhone Internet telephony software, Mini WebPhone can implement the necessary functionality required for outbound calling, inbound full-motion video, and interactive text chat. Similar to a Web browser plug-in, Mini WebPhone is compressed to 462 KB for fast download and automatic extraction and installation. The product features a dynamic interface designed to adjust to the needs of individual e-commerce solutions.
No. 523, www.itmag.com/freeinfo

SOSINC, Solectek Report VoIP, Ethernet Testing
Sensible Office Systems, Inc. (SOSINC) and Solectek Corporation have announced the successful testing of SOSINC's voice over IP using Solectek's long-range, wireless Ethernet bridges. SOSINC's VoIP system was used to place telephone calls directly over the Solectek wireless Ethernet network operating at speeds of 2 Mbps, 5.5 Mbps, and 11 Mbps. Internet voice calls were also tested using a 128 Kbps ISDN link to the local ISP. Both voice calls and fax calls were sent over the local wireless network, Internet alone, and wireless plus Internet via the local ISP - all tests done in the presence of a maximum Ethernet traffic load from Ethernet traffic generators plus normal network traffic. Voice and fax quality are reported to have been excellent in all cases. Each multiple telco quality SOSINC Sovereign VoIP system can support 96 or more voice ports, while Solectek MP-Series wireless bridge/routers can support unlicensed wireless links up to 25 miles.
No. 515, www.itmag.com/freeinfo

Solidum Intros Fast Packet Processing
Solidum Systems Corporation has developed advanced packet classification technology for creating equipment powerful enough to support applications such as multigigabit networks, Internet telephony, VPNs, and consolidated corporate networks. Now available are a packet classification language, compiler, and interface card - all designed to let developers efficiently build devices, which process instantaneously and increase abilities to support classes and QoS. Solidum's technology can facilitate a new generation of chipsets, interface cards, and networking equipment able to support more complex mixes of traffic and the necessary quality standards such as the IETF's DiffServ standard. Solidum plans to target developers of ICs and NICs; manufacturers of microprocessor components; and networking equipment manufacturers.
No. 509, www.itmag.com/freeinfo

TIA Creates IP Phone Standard, Wireless Project
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) has announced a project initiative toward creating a standard for IP telephones. Scheduled for completion by year's end, the Performance and Interoperability Requirements for Voice over IP Telephone Terminals standard is expected to define voice transmission requirements to ensure consistent speech performance and standardize protocols to allow different suppliers' phones to be interchangeable. The standard will be based on the ITU's H.323, TIA PN-4352, and ongoing efforts such as the IETF's Media Gateway Control. In addition, the TIA and several standards bodies have created a third-generation (3G) Partnership Project to advance work of standardization for the ITU's International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000) program. 3GPP2 is the second phase in an effort to accelerate global, 3G wireless systems.
No. 518, www.itmag.com/freeinfo

Stanford Telecom To Supply Broadband To Toshiba
Stanford Telecommunications has announced an agreement with Toshiba Corporation, where Toshiba can resell Stanford's equipment for wireless broadband implementations in the Japanese, Asian, (and other) markets. Stanford Wireless Broadband (Stanford Telecom's subsidiary) plans to supply Toshiba with broadband wireless subscriber units and headend network interface units - all able to support full-featured telephony and data services, including high-speed Internet access, and to provide the core technology for networks supporting local multipoint distribution services (LMDS). Toshiba expects to offer a system configuration using Stanford's DAVIC standard-based point-to-multipoint access links operating at up to 42 Mbps in downstream and multiple channels of up to 10.1 Mbps in upstream.
No. 519, www.itmag.com/freeinfo

Dynarc Delivers DTM-Based Switches
Dynarc has announced the delivery of DTM-based switches to the Swedish utility company, Tekniska Verken. The DynaSwitch 100s are expected to be deployed in Linkoping, Sweden's fiber optical network to allow the utility company full NSP status and offer services, including Internet access, LAN interconnect, and broadband capacity resale to carriers. Tekniska Verken reportedly chose Dynarc's switches for their ability to handle high-capacity traffic and efficiently manage various network traffic, including such real-time applications as voice and video. The DS 100 is based on Dynamic synchronous Transfer Mode (DTM) technology; it can handle a maximum 1.6 Gbps capacity and switch traffic from access networks, using different kinds of transmission media, including optical fiber, radio links, and copper cable.
No. 510, www.itmag.com/freeinfo

Telogy Adds Universal Access To Voice, Fax/IP
Telogy Networks has announced GoldenPort - embedded software extending the Golden Gateway Voice and Fax over IP product line. The software is designed to enable carrier-class equipment to dynamically switch voice, fax, and V.90 modem calls from traditional POTS interfaces over packet networks (IP, FR, and ATM). With availability slated for mid-1999, GoldenPort can allow manufacturers of network infrastructure equipment - such as remote access servers, PBXs, and CO switches) to offer their ISP, CLEC, and other service provider customers a versatile, powerful new class of equipment.
No. 513, www.itmag.com/freeinfo

3Com Preps Complete Internet Telephony System Shipment
3Com Corporation has announced that - following extensive internal testing - it plans to ship its gatekeepers and back-end servers, along with its gateways (comprising the second and third tiers of 3Com's three-tiered, carrier-grade architecture) as a "starter kit" Total Control IP Telephony System. 3Com's architecture is designed to separate the back-end servers into a third tier, allowing carriers to scale these databases more efficiently and to locate them in secure facilities. The architecture can also offer reliable hop-on/hop-off transport of telephony traffic with improved system resiliency to minimize network downtime. Standard APIs are also included at all levels to offer carriers flexibility to easily customize the system for service differentiation. Future system releases should include an authentication server and call-rating server to complete the back-office function suite.
No. 520, www.itmag.com/freeinfo

UltiVerse Releases Internet Telephony Server
UltiVerse Technologies has announced the availability of its flagship product, UltiFax, designed to allow users to access the benefits of Internet faxing and enhanced fax services, including increased productivity and lower transmission costs. The product can also let users maintain investments in existing fax machines, e-mail, and voice mail systems. UltiFax is based on the Microsoft Exchange Server and built around the concept of personal online mailboxes, which can receive/store incoming and outgoing faxes and e-mail messages. Users can access faxes and e-mail messages from anywhere in the world where there is a connection to a data network, a telephone network, or the Internet. UltiFax systems range from 8- to 96-port configurations.
No. 500, www.itmag.com/freeinfo

Perimeter Intros Real-Time Web/Agent ACD
Perimeter Technology has unveiled Net-VU Internet ACD - an open software solution able to merge an organization's call center and Web site to create a "virtual storefront" staffed with call center agents. It can help Web customers generate inquiries at the times they choose, connecting them to call center agents via one or more communications mediums, including e-mail reply, online text chat, telephone call back, and VoIP. A Java implementation, the solution employs the server/thin-client model to enable application across existing organization server platforms, and browser-based Java applets to deliver required agent, call, and supervisor components on existing computing devices. Integration with Perimeter's VU-ACD/100 Management Information System (MIS) V39 allows supervisors to use a single MIS solution for real-time display and reporting of both phone and Web inquiries/agents and real-time configuration of Net-VU. Net-VU can scale up to 4,000 agents.
No. 504, www.itmag.com/freeinfo

CPS Unveils Call Waiting Switch
Computer Peripheral Systems (CPS) has announced the CWA, a budget-priced call waiting switch designed for use with new modems on dial lines equipped with call waiting service. The CWA can automatically adapt to local call waiting signals and isolate them from the overlapping modem signals occurring simultaneously. The CWA alerts the modem user through a beeping sound and a flashing LED to indicate a call is waiting. Then, the user can press a button on the unit to immediately disconnect the modem and allow the phone to ring with the waiting call. When the Internet connection is re-established, the browser can normally restore the current session back to the point of interruption. The CWA features applications for residential Web users, SOHO environments, and telecommuters required to take voice or fax calls while online to the corporate network or Internet.
No. 506, www.itmag.com/freeinfo

Lucent Unveils VoIP Solution For Service Providers
Lucent Technologies has extended its PacketStar VoIP family with the PacketStar IP Gateway 1000, PacketStar IP Gatekeeper, and PacketStar IP Manager. The next-generation, Bell Labs-developed solution can enable NSPs to deploy IP networks, which can carry two million inexpensive voice and fax calls per day, and expand into revenue-generating services such as prepaid billing cards. The products can allow service providers to design virtually 99.999 percent-reliable VoIP networks. The gateway is based on Lucent's PortMaster 4 integrated access concentrator platform and ComOS operating system, and can enable real-time voice and fax services, dynamically allocated on any port. The gatekeeper is standalone with a centralized database, designed to offer authentication, call routing, and billing support, and comes with an optional Bell Labs-developed Service Ready Internet Telephony Prepay Billing Server. In addition, the PacketStar IP Manager features a GUI for providing administrators a centrally managed, whole network view.
No. 508, www.itmag.com/freeinfo

Fibex Systems Unveils DLC Access Line
Fibex Systems has introduced the DLC Plus, a digital loop carrier system designed to address the public's increasing demand for Internet access and high bandwidth services. The products are based on a multifabric switching architecture, which can allow users to send and receive voice and data communications via four different circuit-switched or packet-switched transmission modes simultaneously (TDM, IP, frame relay, and ATM) from a single, high-capacity platform. Fibex plans to offer voice over packet services, as well, and is targeting CLECs and IXCs as the technology's benefactors. The DLC Plus is designed to offer an end-to-end, integrated access solution, deployable throughout a network topology (the central office, a remote terminal, or the customer premises).
No. 514, www.itmag.com/freeinfo

3Com Supplies PBX For Single, Converged Network
3Com Corporation has announced the SuperStack II PBX 1000 - based on Siemens AG Hicom platforms and 3Com LAN technology. The SuperStack can deliver the physical integration of voice and data network infrastructure, as well as the capability for a single, wide-area connection for both voice and data traffic. The system includes a stackable PBX 1000 unit and 3Com digital telephones and is based on a three-tiered model to address customer service level expectations for voice support. A unified enterprise infrastructure for voice and data, using H.323 and JTAPI, is expected in phase two of the solution.
No. 516, www.itmag.com/freeinfo

ADTRAN Extends Series With FR, ISDN
ADTRAN has introduced the Express 5210 frame relay access device and Express 4110 ISDN router - designed to add new functionality to the company's Express remote site termination series for dedicated, switched-, and packet-based network services. The Express 5210 can support voice, data, and disaster recovery on frame relay networks and enables network managers to consolidate voice onto already-subscribed frame relay data circuits. Managers can also implement disaster recovery over ISDN, V.34, or Switched 56 networks, using an easy-to-install expansion card. The Express 4110 is designed for SOHO applications requiring Internet access. It simultaneously can translate multiple LAN addresses into a single, dynamic IP address, using Network Address Translation (NAT).
No. 517, www.itmag.com/freeinfo

Texas Micro Targets Internet/Telecom Markets With System
Texas Micro has announced the release of the 2010, a highly configurable embedded computing system solution, designed for the most extreme environments. The 2010 - designed with 15 G shock and 1 G operating vibration specifications - features a rugged 10-slot passive backplane PC/AT chassis built to meet needs of companies looking for a chassis where processing power, unattended operations (250,000 hour MTBF rating), and limited space are critical operating factors. Two ISA/2 CPU/6 PCI, and 250-watt AC industrial power supply options are included.
No. 521, www.itmag.com/freeinfo