Cisco Integrated DWDM Solutions Maximize Services per Fiber and Extend Metro Reach.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

OFC 2003

Booth Number 2824

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 24, 2003

Cisco Multiservice Transport Platform Strategy

Enables Lowest-Cost-Per-Service Network

Cisco Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:CSCO), today announced new integrated dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) capabilities for the market-leading Cisco(R) ONS 15454 as part of its ongoing Multiservice Transport Platform (MSTP) strategy. Bringing enhanced photonics capabilities directly into the service platform, the Cisco MSTP strategy extends geographical coverage, supports multiple topologies and delivers on the requirements of today's multiservice environment for a lowest-cost-per-service network.

The new 32-channel OC-192/STM-64 capability for the Cisco ONS 15454 is the most recent component of the Cisco Multiservice Transport Platform strategy, which is designed to maximize DWDM for the expanding metropolitan area network (MAN or metro). Increasing traffic from storage, TDM, Ethernet/IP and optical service applications, which is converging on the metro network, has prompted new service provider requirements and has blurred the traditional demarcation between the MAN and long-haul networks. As a result, service providers need a way to maximize the capacity, flexibility and reach of their fiber infrastructures. Integrating DWDM into multiservice provisioning platforms (MSPPs) reduces operational expenses and allows the platform to be tailored for MSPP architectures, pure DWDM architectures or a mixed application set.

"Through the Multiservice Transport Platform strategy, Cisco enables a superior lowest-cost-per-service network," said Rajiv Ramaswami, vice president and chief technology officer, Optical Networking Group, Cisco Systems. "We see continued innovation of DWDM technologies in the metro network in three stages: integrated DWDM, flexible photonics and dynamic wavelength services. The MSTP strategy is designed to maximize these technologies to optimize service delivery based on application needs to increase the revenue-to-capital ratio for greater profitability."

With its MSTP strategy Cisco is designing a flexible, DWDM solution from the ground up. This approach allows customers to use a single solution to meet metro reach requirements ranging from campus through to long-haul applications, with significantly more flexibility in the DWDM layer than traditional long-haul solutions.

SURFnet, the Dutch computer network for higher education and research, continues to evolve its SURFnet5 next-generation network to integrate increasing bandwidth, improved quality and flexibility for the customer, and more efficient management and provisioning, along with greater performance at the IP layer. Integrated photonics technologies and DWDM are a primary component of the SURFnet vision. SURFnet5 is also the network on which the GigaPort project resides. GigaPort is a research and development collaboration between SURFnet and Cisco with a goal to advance network capabilities. The SURFnet5 network includes an MSTP solution with Cisco ONS 15454 MSPPs and integrated DWDM along with Cisco 12000 Series routers.

"Next-generation networks cannot be a simple extrapolation of existing networks. New technologies and advanced architectures support evolving requirements and maximize the capabilities of our national research network," said Kees Neggers, managing director, SURFnet. "The continued integration of 10 Gigabit DWDM technologies and switching and routing capabilities seamlessly builds upon our optical infrastructure to add capacity and flexibility for advanced Internet applications and Ethernet services."

Cisco incorporates photonics technology innovation with the MSTP strategy in several areas. These include International Telecommunication Union (ITU) grid-optics integration to enable MSPP and metro DWDM functionality, integrated optical amplification for expanded geographical coverage, flexible topology support with reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers (OADMs) and the continual integration of functions into smaller footprint platforms to save space and lower costs. Additionally, through efficient element management with the Cisco Transport Manager, Cisco continues to enable lower-cost operations and faster provisioning.

The most recent component of the MSTP strategy, the Cisco ONS 15454 32-channel OC-192/STM-64 capability, is designed primarily for metro interoffice connections between central offices, co-location offices, or enterprise and campus facilities with bandwidth requirements exceeding 10 Gbps. Supporting 32 channels based on the ITU frequency recommendations, wavelengths can be multiplexed together using optical filters such as the Cisco ONS 15216, allowing bandwidth scaling to 320 Gbps per fiber. The 32-channel OC-192/STM-64 capability used with optical amplification and dispersion compensation is also suitable for use in single-channel applications requiring extended reach.

About Cisco Complete Optical Multiservice Edge and Transport (COMET) Portfolio

The Cisco COMET product line offers maximum service velocity, density, variety, and capacity, building the foundation to accelerate IP and optical networking. Cisco COMET news and information can be found at http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/779/servpro/solutions/optical/.

Cisco COMET optical solutions can be seen at the OFC conference in Atlanta, Ga. March 25-27, 2003, at booth number 2824.

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. News and information can be found at http://newsroom.cisco.com.

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