Product category:
Embedded Software and Operating Systems
News Release from: Agere Systems
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 06 May 2004
Software accord to simplify comms
platforms
Agere Systems and Data Connection (DCL) are developing a range of integrated software platforms for next-generation multiservice communications equipment.
Agere Systems and Data Connection (DCL) are developing a range of integrated software platforms for next-generation multiservice communications equipment These platforms can reduce product development costs by millions of dollars, accelerate product delivery by up to nine months and simplify product designs and migration paths from current to next-generation equipment
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 24 Oct 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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These numerous benefits result from eliminating the time and money equipment manufacturers have to spend integrating layers of underlying software from different sources.
Agere and DCL's new software platforms combine multi-protocol label switching (MPLS), Internet protocol (IP) and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) technologies and capabilities.
Each of these technologies is key for converging affordable, next-generation access, edge and core equipment.
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MPLS has a major role in delivering these benefits.
A rapidly emerging protocol for traffic engineering and dynamic routing and switching of voice, data, and video signals, MPLS enables: differentiated, prioritised services; guaranteed bandwidth; scalability using switching technology; enhanced traffic shaping; reduced network crosstalk; and lower management overhead costs associated with handling different protocols.
The Agere and DCL software solutions also feature world-class ATM technology that has similar capabilities to MPLS.
Agere and DCL are the world leaders in sales of ATM chips and control-plane protocol software, respectively.
These platform solutions integrate Agere's traffic management network processor chips and software with DCL software.
The solutions target a broad range of wireline and wireless communications equipment applications including digital subscriber line access multiplexers (DSLAM), optical networking gear, IP routers, edge switches and wireless basestations.
Specifically, Agere will integrate its Functional Application Programming Interface (FPI) software with a range of DCL's MPLS, IP routing and ATM protocol software stacks, initially including: DC-MPLS, DC-BGP (Border Gateway Protocol), DC-OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) and DC-ATM.
Agere's FPI software is designed for platforms based on Agere's single-chip network processor solutions supporting protocol processing and traffic management.
"Service providers are racing to provide affordable broadband services and are pushing MPLS, IP and ATM technologies further into the access portion of the network", said Samir Samhouri, Marketing Director with Agere Systems.
"This trend aims to raise the average revenue per user (ARPU).
To meet this key requirement, communication equipment providers want Agere to deliver to them integrated solutions that get their products to market faster, at lower cost, and with lower risk and greater flexibility to upgrade their systems in the future.
"Agere chose to work with DCL because the company helps us meet our customers' most important and time-sensitive requirements, particularly in delivering next-generation MPLS and ATM solutions", Samhouri added.
"DCL ranks among the world's premier suppliers of protocol stack software and provides high-quality products and excellent customer support".
In the first phase of the collaboration, Agere will validate its ATM-based Festino semiconductor hardware, software and prevalidated system-level platforms - including its worldwide number-one traffic management chip technology - with DCL's advanced ATM protocol software.
This software includes user-to-network interface (UNI), private network-to-network interface (PNNI), integrated local management interface (ILMI) and IP over ATM (IPoA).
"DCL is working with Agere on these crucial software projects because of our shared interests in solving our customers' key economic and product delivery concerns", said Ben Miller, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Protocol Software with DCL.
"Agere's system-level platform approach to the market coincides with major industry trends and plays to Agere's strengths.
This strategy also gives DCL's customers an easy upgrade path to the latest Agere multiservice based platforms".
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