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Ciena Adds 10 Gigabit Ethernet to CN 4350 to Optimize Networks for Triple Play and Business Class Ethernet Services

Posted on: Monday, 6 June 2005, 09:00 CDT

Carrier-Grade Ethernet Services Provisioning Switch Combines High Performance Ethernet Switching, Tunable DWDM Optics, Guaranteed Levels of QoS and Zero Packet Loss

Ciena(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: CIEN), the network specialist, today announced the addition of a 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) module for its CN 4350(TM) Ethernet Services Provisioning Switch, the first carrier-grade Ethernet platform specifically designed for telco and cable service providers to deliver high-value business-class Ethernet services as well as the triple play of voice, video and data. As carrier Ethernet traffic increases daily, the 10 GbE module reduces costs and adds new levels of flexibility for optimizing the performance, aggregation and switching of commercial and residential voice, video and data services.

The CN 4350's new 10 GbE module incorporates 10 gigabits per second (Gbps) Ethernet LAN/WAN PHY interfaces, 10 Gbps (OTU2) DWDM transport and packet switching functionality. It can be configured as either a packet-switched interface or as a 3R (repeat, retime, regenerate) transponder to provide transport-grade 10 GbE transmission for third-party switches or routers across SONET/SDH or Optical Transport Network (OTN) metro or regional backbones.

Ciena's CN 4350 also now includes support for ITU G.709 standards-based OTN "digital wrapper" functionality for encapsulating and efficiently transporting services across optical networks with superior performance monitoring, fault signaling and management. This enables direct packet over optical transport without the cost and complexity of SONET/SDH.

"The CN 4350's high availability and switching performance have been essential to Ciena's success in delivering reliable network infrastructure for Video on Demand," says Nick Maynard, senior analyst, Communications Network Infrastructure, Yankee Group. "The recent addition of 10 Gigabit Ethernet and integrated DWDM optics to the CN 4350 provide further differentiation, making it an effective solution for service providers offering triple play and business-class Ethernet services."

The 10 GbE module's integrated DWDM optics are tunable across the C-band, eliminating the need for external transponders and drastically reducing the cost compared to fixed-wavelength modules. Additionally, the module's built-in optical protection switching improves service availability without the higher cost and added management burden of an external protection switch.

"Carrier Ethernet networks are expanding to keep pace with the demand for business-class Ethernet services and the triple play, including Video on Demand and IPTV, so platforms that combine guaranteed QoS with carrier-grade reliability and robust service management are at a premium," said Steve Alexander, CTO, Ciena. "These enhancements to the CN 4350 provide further evidence of our demand-driven product development and focus on helping our customers build flexible, service-oriented networks."

Carrier-Grade Ethernet Switching and Aggregation

Ciena's CN 4350 Ethernet Services Provisioning Switch combines a full mesh 160 gigabits per second fabric, VirtualWire(TM) VLAN switching, GbE and WDM transport interfaces, and carrier-grade reliability to provide the same service performance and operational simplicity of time-division multiplexed gigabit Ethernet transport, but with the cost-effectiveness and bandwidth efficiency of Ethernet switching. The platform delivers absolute QoS by assigning each service its own "virtual wire" with guaranteed end-to-end bandwidth and performance.

The CN 4350 is a high-availability platform that offers hitless in-service software upgrades, SONET/SDH-style performance monitoring and fault signaling, and multiple protection mechanisms to support the availability requirements of specific applications. The CN 4350 is NEBS Level 3 and ETSI certified and supports fully redundant common equipment, separate data and control planes and a modular software architecture.

ABOUT CIENA

Ciena Corporation is the network specialist, focused on expanding the possibilities for its customers' networks while reducing their cost of ownership. The company's systems, software and services target and cure specific network pain points so that telcos, cable operators, governments and enterprises can best exploit the new applications that are driving their businesses forward. For more information, visit www.ciena.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof; and Ciena's actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied, due to risks and uncertainties associated with its business, which include the risk factors disclosed in its Report on Form 10-Q, which Ciena filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 2, 2005. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding Ciena's expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future and can be identified by forward-looking words such as "anticipate,""believe,""could,""estimate,""expect,""intend,""may,""should,""will," and "would" or similar words. Ciena assumes no obligation to update the information included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Source: Business Wire

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