Dec 17 2009
Aricent(TM), a global innovation, technology and services company focused exclusively on communications, today announced that Intune Networks, an Ireland-based telecom company delivering next generation platforms based on ultra-fast dynamic optical technologies, has selected Aricent to co-develop a highly advanced Optical Packet Switch and Transport networking platform for next generation Metro Networks.
IP and Ethernet are fundamentally changing the nature of telecommunications with the convergence of Ethernet and the Transport network. However, a bottleneck imposed by stacked network switching equipment and the associated static optical transport interconnects continues to exist. Intune Networks uniquely solves switching bottlenecks by virtualizing physical networks through a distributed Layer 2 switch. The advantage of this collapsed layer network design is a highly simplified network with predictability and quality of performance guaranteed. The solution also delivers up to 75% reduction in power consumption compared to existing designs. Thus, a low cost, ultra high-speed, green communications infrastructure can be introduced to replace legacy network equipment.
"Aricent was the natural partner of choice for our product development program due to their domain expertise in Ethernet switching and market leadership with their Intelligent Switching Solution software framework," said Tim Fritzley, CEO of Intune Networks. "Unprecedented bandwidth demand has created a unique opportunity for Intune's OPST system utilizing innovative tunable laser technology that helps deliver the high speed and energy efficiency needed in the metro core. Aricent's ISS has been a key component to help us deliver this innovative solution."
In conjunction with Aricent's Intelligent Switching Solution (ISS) software, Intune Networks' OPST technology is currently in trials as part of Ireland's Exemplar Smart Network. Intune was named by Ireland's Ministry of Communications (DCENR) this past summer to lead the development of the Exemplar Network Testbed, as the first step in creating a next generation smart and green communications infrastructure for Ireland.
"This joint effort represents tremendous technology and development synergy," said Arputham Ganesan, assistant vice president at Aricent. "Aricent offers Intune Networks a unique combination of proven and tested intellectual property as well as the expert product lifecycle services in support of the company's introduction of advanced, high-capacity OPST platforms. This collaboration with Intune enables an accelerated time to market by virtue of Aricent's optimized ISS framework, reduced risk and development costs for our mutual customers."
Aricent's ISS is a comprehensive, feature-rich software framework for developing a wide range of Intelligent Ethernet switching solutions including Enterprise Ethernet, Datacenter Ethernet, Industrial Ethernet, Carrier and Metro Ethernet. A well-tested and production-ready software product, ISS has rapidly become a standard component of the next generation of switching and routing solutions being developed by communications equipment manufacturers.
Aricent ISS key features include:
- Advanced Layer 2 Switching
- IPv4 and IPv6 Unicast and Multicast Routing
- MPLS
- VPN
- Chassis and Redundancy Management
"Aricent is engaged with a number of early technology incubators today, providing intellectual property, expertise and life cycle services, offering complimentary technology skills and scale in an innovative way," said Kapil Singhal, assistant vice president and EMEA regional head at Aricent. "As the world's leading telecom R&D provider, Aricent is committed to work with companies that want to optimize development expenses and transform their innovative technology into commercial success."