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Siemens Subscriber Networks Unveils Pioneering Dual Stack Broadband Client Software for IPv4 and IPv6

Posted on: Wednesday, 21 July 2004, 06:00 CDT

DALLAS, July 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Siemens Subscriber Networks, Inc., an affiliate of Siemens Information and Communication Networks, Inc., each a subsidiary of Siemens AG , announces the market debut of "dual stack" IPv4/IPv6 functionality for its widely deployed tango(TM) Access broadband client software for Windows.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20021029/SILOGO )

This introduction breaks much-needed new ground by addressing the coming global shortage of existing Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) addresses, a problem that the next-generation of Internet Protocol, known as IP version 6 (IPv6), is designed to fix. Its 128-bit addressing scheme, as specified by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), replaces today's IPv4 32-bit addressing to provide an exponentially larger supply of IP addresses. The demand for more IP addresses continues to grow as more and more devices become Internet-connected, and the functionality of these devices expands.

The dual stack approach of the Siemens tango Access software gives Broadband Internet Service Providers (ISPs) worldwide the flexibility to begin deploying IPv6 over their existing Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) infrastructure whenever they are ready. Its coexistence with IPv4 over the same network effectively increases the value of providers' network assets and readies those assets for an IPv6 future, without additional capital requirements.

The dual stack tango Access software approach is transparent to subscribers, except that their access to such advanced broadband services as video-on-demand, IP television, video conferencing, voice and video telephony and multiparty online gaming may be enhanced. Behind the scenes, IPv6 substantially improves real-time Quality of Service (QoS), a key element in the quality of voice and video services. In addition, security is a built-in requirement at the IP level versus IPv4's prevailing optional standard.

With more than 15 million installations worldwide, Siemens tango software suite has broad market acceptance, and its dual stack architecture for the "Access" module can help to unlock the availability of IPv6 for mass markets. "This announcement of a dual stack PPPoE client should help broadband ISPs realize a smooth, fairly transparent migration to IPv6," said Erik Keith, senior analyst, Broadband Infrastructure at Current Analysis. "It comes at a juncture when IPv4 -- a protocol that's been serving us well for more than 20 years -- must begin handing off the burden of traffic routing, QoS and security to IPv6. That Siemens is first out of the gate with this approach reflects a drive toward practical innovation that marks all that it does, especially in broadband."

At last month's SUPERCOMM trade show, the largest telecom show in the United States, Siemens demonstrated the interoperability of the dual stack tango Access client software with Juniper Networks carrier-class E-series routing platforms, which feature full dual stack IPv4 and IPv6 subscriber management and routing capabilities. "Using the Siemens tango Access client software as a broadband subscriber end-point, we were able to demonstrate interoperability with our IPv6 dual stack routers," explained Judy Beningson, vice president, product management, Juniper Networks. "The demo served as hard evidence that IPv6 is ready for prime-time. The dual stack strategy of Siemens and Juniper Networks is the evolutionary path that will get us from where we are today to where we need to be tomorrow."

Innovation by developing open standards, forming business alliances and achieving interoperability, plus Siemens' perennial goal of reducing time-to- profitability for ISPs and service providers each time they turn on a broadband circuit have helped Siemens to achieve the rank of number one global market share leader for DSL CPE by The Dell'Oro Group for 2002, 2003 and for the first quarter 2004.

"At Siemens, our abiding concern is to give users access to next generation broadband services, which is what IPv6 will help provide," said Sundar Raj, vice president and general manager of tango Software at Siemens Subscriber Networks. "Users of Siemens solutions can enjoy that experience everywhere and across all their devices whether they're at home, at work or in-between. It's all part of our vision called LifeWorks(TM)."

About Siemens

Siemens AG is one of the world's largest global electronics and engineering companies with reported worldwide sales of $80.5 billion in fiscal 2003. Founded more than 150 years ago, the company is a leader in the areas of Information and Communications, Automation and Control, Power, Transportation, Medical, and Lighting. With its U.S. corporate headquarters in New York City, Siemens in the USA has sales of $16.6 billion and employs 65,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Ten of Siemens' worldwide businesses are based in the United States. With its global headquarters in Munich, Siemens AG and its subsidiaries employ 417,000 people in 192 countries. For more information on Siemens in the United States: http://www.usa.siemens.com/.

About Siemens Information and Communication Networks Group

Siemens Information and Communication Networks Group is a leading provider of network and applications technology for enterprises, carriers and service providers. ICN's product strategy is focused on next-generation switching, next-generation access, and next-generation optics. ICN's flagship brands are HiPath(TM) for enterprises, SURPASS(R) for carriers, and SpeedStream(R) voice, data and video broadband solutions for business and residential customers.

NOTE: Siemens, LifeWorks, SURPASS, SpeedStream and tango are trademarks or registered trademarks of Siemens AG or its subsidiaries. All other company, brand, product and service names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

This release contains forward-looking statements based on beliefs of Siemens management. The words "anticipate,""believe,""estimate,""forecast,""expect,""intend,""plan,""should," and "project" are used to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the company's current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause the actual results to be materially different, including, among others, changes in general economic and business conditions, changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates, introduction of competing products, lack of acceptance of new products or services and changes in business strategy. Actual results may vary materially from those projected here. Siemens does not intend or assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Photo: Newscom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20021029/SILOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk, +1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840

Siemens Information and Communication Networks, Inc.

CONTACT: Suzanne Crow of Siemens Information and Communication Networks,Inc., +1-703-262-2689, or suzanne.crow@icn.siemens.com

Web site: http://www.usa.siemens.com/http://www.siemens.com/

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