Allied Telesyn Introduces Gigabit Media Converters with Pluggable Optics; AT-MC1008 Series Features Interchangeable GBIC or SFP Optical Plug-Ins for Total Media Flexibility.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Allied Telesyn, a global provider of secure Ethernet/IP access solutions, this week announced the launch of its new MC1008 line of pluggable media converters. Ideal for enterprise, educational and service provider networks that operate over long distances, these highly-flexible Gigabit Ethernet media converters feature optical plug-ins that allow them to be deployed and re-deployed many times over.

The most common use for the MC1008 will be as a media converter for copper-based network devices located remotely and connected by a fiber optic link of up to 80km. In some instances where cost is of paramount concern, it may be cheaper to deploy an MC1008 than purchase specialist fiber appliques.

"With its interchangeable plug-in design, the MC1008 is a highly-flexible solution and an ideal one for cost-conscious organizations," said Philip Yim, Executive Vice President of Product Management and Marketing. "Unlike fixed media converters, the MC1008 pluggables let you re-use existing SFPs and GBICs, which lowers both current inventory costs and network re-design costs down the road."

The MC1008 series comes in two models: an MC1008/GB GBIC pluggable, and the MC1008/SP SFP pluggable. Both are currently available to order with a list price of $550.

MC1008 series media converters will connect to any managed or unmanaged Gigabit Ethernet port that has standard RJ-45 connection. Each converter features one Gigabit twisted pair port and one GBIC or SFP slot. Where multiple media converters are used, up to 12 standalone devices can be inserted into a low-cost AT-MCR12 rackmount chassis powered by a single internal power supply. In critical applications, a second load sharing internal power supply can be installed into the rackmount chassis.

The MC1008 series also features MissingLink(TM) and SmartMissingLink network monitoring and fault notification, allowing all ports on the media converter to display the status of their links and shut them down in the event of loss of connection -- thereby notifying the node that connections have been lost.

These simple-to-use media converters require no software configuration and can be used as standalone units or in a back-to-back configuration for media conversion or network extension. Optical distances are determined by the GBIC or SFP plug-ins chosen. Allied Telesyn offers an array of GBIC and SFP pluggables, with ST, SC, MT-RJ, and RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet media connections.

About Allied Telesyn, Inc.

Allied Telesyn was founded in 1987 with the goal of producing reliable, standards-based networking products. Focused on Ethernet/IP solutions geared to applications, Allied Telesyn offers carrier-class access-edge products, including Layer 3 switches, fiber/copper Multiservice Access Platforms, and CPE. We're also a leading global manufacturer of media converters, unmanaged switches, and NICs. Our customer-driven approach has made Allied Telesyn the ideal choice for IT professionals looking for high-quality, feature-rich network solutions at a lower price.