Foundry Networks Expands Metro Strategy With New Industry-Leading Metro Routers.Business Editors/High-Tech Writers SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 4, 2002 Metro Strategy To Focus On Both MPLS (1) (MultiProtocol Lambda Switching) The earlier name for GMPLS. See GMPLS. (2) (MultiProtocol Label Switching) A standard from the IETF for including routing information in the packets of an IP network. and Layer 2 Metro Architectures Embracing SONET and 10-Gigabit Ethernet Foundry Networks(R), Inc. (Nasdaq:FDRY), a leading provider of high-performance enterprise and service provider switching, routing and Web traffic management solutions, announced today expansion of its strategy to target the Metro service provider market with new purpose-built Metro Routers for both MPLS and Layer 2 Metro networks. Foundry's Metro strategy is specifically designed to allow service providers to generate incremental revenue with new service offerings with minimal additional investment, while protecting existing investment in their SONET infrastructure. Foundry's four-part Metro strategy will: -- Provide a complete Metro solution including Multi-Tenant Unit (MTU), Provider Edge (PE), Provider Core (PC), and Internet Edge (IE), based on the NetIron(R) family of Metro Routers, allowing a purpose-built feature set and optimization. -- Provide a range of features for both MPLS and Layer 2 Metro architectures with industry-leading scalability and reliability. -- Introduce the new MetroLink(TM) Interface strategy to embrace SONET and 10-Gigabit Ethernet technologies with Ethernet-over-SONET (EoSONET) and offer a consistent feature set and a common management interface. -- Offer compelling and disruptive prices for MetroLink interfaces, especially SONET, that allow service providers to protect their SONET investment, while exploiting next-generation 10-Gigabit Ethernet technologies. "Foundry's strategy of embracing SONET and Ethernet in their Metro offering provides a compelling approach to the carriers with significant investments in SONET," said Dave Passmore, research director at Burton Group. "Further, Foundry's new pricing, especially OC-48c SONET, is potentially disruptive in the Metro markets and will offer Metro service providers a cost-effective way to leverage SONET with 10-Gigabit Ethernet." As Metro service providers build the next-generation network infrastructure to offer Transparent LAN services, Foundry offers a complete range of solutions from VLAN-based Layer 2 network services to MPLS-based VPN (Virtual Private Network) A private network that is configured within a public network (a carrier's network or the Internet) in order to take advantage of the economies of scale and management facilities of large networks. services with Draft-Martini and Virtual Private LAN Services (VPLS (Virtual Private LAN Service) A multipoint virtual private network (VPN) service from carriers that connects any number of Ethernet LANs together over an IP core, typically using MPLS, although other encapsulation protocols can be used. ). First-To-Market With Complete RSVP-TE RSVP-TE Resource Reservation Protocol-Traffic Engineering (MPLS) , Draft Martini and VPLS Foundry's NetIron routers now support VPLS and ISIS-TE ISIS-TE Intermediate System to Intermediate System-Traffic Engineering functionality, thereby complementing the existing Draft Martini, RSVP-TE, LDP LDP - Linux Documentation Project , and OSPF-TE OSPF-TE Open Shortest Path First-Traffic Engineering (Sprint) . Foundry is the first vendor in the industry to provide the complete suite of MPLS functionality, including the new VPLS, to offer new services beyond those made possible by Draft- Martini. Foundry's new VPLS implementation allows Metro service providers to build scalable MPLS-based Metro networks that can offer multi-point-to-multi-point enterprise VPN services with on-demand bandwidth provisioning. Foundry's VPLS and Draft-Martini implementations accommodate different customer interface points including 10/100 Mbps Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, OC-3c ATM, OC-3c SONET, OC-12c SONET or OC-48c SONET. This simplifies service provider operations and allows them to dramatically expand their target customer bases. With Foundry's NetIron Metro Routers, service providers can offer differentiated services to their customers over a single access point by identifying different traffic flows and mapping them onto different MPLS services. "The ability to offer multipoint-to-multipoint MPLS VPN Services is a key requirement for most major carriers," said Michael Kennedy, managing partner at Network Strategy Partners. "Foundry is the first vendor to address this key requirement with VPLS and is likely to accelerate the market adoption of MPLS based Metro VPN services." Along with new VPLS functionality, the NetIron Metro Routers feature MPLS-enabled Gigabit Ethernet interfaces complementing the existing MPLS enabled OC-3c, OC-12c and OC-48c SONET modules. These new MPLS-enabled Gigabit Ethernet interfaces allow NetIron Metro Routers to be deployed as cost-effective MTU (1) (Maximum Transmission Unit, Maximum Transfer Unit) The largest frame size that can be transmitted over the network. For example, an Ethernet MTU is 1,500 bytes. Messages longer than the MTU must be divided into smaller frames. or PE devices aggregating multiple customer interfaces and offer VPLS based VPN services. The Leader In Layer 2 Metro Innovation Foundry is now offering two major high availability features purpose-built for Layer 2 Metro networks which offer an alternative to Spanning Tree Protocol Based on an algorithm invented by Radia Perlman while working for Digital Equipment Corporation[1][2], Spanning Tree Protocol Is an OSI layer-2 protocol which ensures a loop free topology for any bridged LAN. (STP STP or standard temperature and pressure, standard conditions for measurement of the properties of matter. The standard temperature is the freezing point of pure water, 0°C; or 273.15°K;. ) based Metro designs. First, Metro Ring Protocol (MRP (Material Requirements Planning) An information system that determines what assemblies must be built and what materials must be procured in order to build a unit of equipment by a certain date. ) offers sub-second fault-detection, isolation and fail-over for Metro access rings. Second, Virtual Switch Redundancy Protocol (VSRP VSRP Virtual Switch Redundancy Protocol VSRP Vision Science Research Program (Toronto Western Research Institute) VSRP Vrienden van de Stichting Stamboek Ronde en Platbodemjachten VSRP Visiting Students' Research Program ) offers sub-second fail-over for full mesh or partial mesh Metro topologies. Together, the MRP and the VSRP complement the existing Spanning Tree based innovations such as Rapid STP (802.1w) and SuperSpan(TM). "One of the key problems in running Layer 2 Metropolitan Area Networks is the need for rapid reconfiguration if outages occur," said Paul Strauss, research manager of Enterprise Networks at IDC. "While the new Rapid Spanning Tree provides a dramatic improvement over the standard Spanning Tree algorithm An algorithm used in transparent bridges that dynamically determines the best path from source to destination. It avoids bridge loops (two or more paths linking one segment to another), which can cause the bridges to misinterpret results. , there is a market need for faster alternatives to spanning tree, including the Foundry approach." Along with the new MRP and VSRP for high availability, Foundry's NetIron Metro Routers now feature significant scalability enhancements, including new Metro trunk capabilities and MAC address table expansions. The NetIron systems now support Metro trunk groups of up to four 10-Gigabit Ethernet links for an aggregate bandwidth of 40 Gbps. This allows 40 Gbps bandwidth connectivity between Metro core systems without the use of expensive optical equipment. In addition to the new Metro trunks, the NetIron systems now support up to 2,000,000 MAC addresses per each system in order to scale the Layer 2 Metro networks to new levels. Unparalleled Investment Protection Foundry's NetIron Metro Routers offer unparalleled investment protection in the industry by offering a smooth migration to and interoperability between MPLS and Layer 2 Metro networks. Service providers can choose to build Layer 2 Metros for low cost and simplicity and migrate to MPLS Metros for scalability in harmony with their subscriber growth. The NetIron Metro Router family also allows smooth interoperability by mapping Super VLANs to MPLS VPN tunnels to interconnect multiple Layer 2 Metro access networks with an MPLS Metro core using Traffic Engineering. New MetroLink Interface Modules The NetIron Metro Routers will be equipped with a range of new MetroLink interface modules that offer variable bandwidth from 100 Mbps to 10 Gbps with a consistent feature set, common management, and wire-speed performance based on both SONET and Ethernet technologies. Foundry's NetIron Metro Routers, equipped with new MetroLink modules, offer advanced bandwidth management, wire-speed traffic accounting, and the industry's highest density, along with feature-rich MPLS functionality. The MetroLink interface modules allow Metro service providers to protect their existing investment in SONET, while taking advantage of the next-generation 10- Gigabit Ethernet technology by utilizing Foundry's Ethernet-over-SONET (EoSONET) feature set. Foundry's MetroLink 10-Gigabit Ethernet modules allow Metro carriers to reduce or postpone their capital expenditures and investment into additional DWDM (Dense WDM) The term given to wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) when significantly more channels were being added. Since WDM is increasingly more "dense" all the time, both terms are used synonymously. See WDM. DWDM - wavelength division multiplexing optical equipment and pace their investment along with subscriber growth. "By embracing SONET and 10-Gigabit Ethernet equally, and by being the first in the industry to offer a complete MPLS solution including VPLS and RSVP-TE, we are offering a compelling strategy for carriers with significant investments in SONET infrastructure," said Bobby Johnson, president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of Foundry Networks. Availability and Pricing The NetIron 400, 800 and 1500 Metro Routers equipped with MetroLink interface modules will be generally available in phases starting now through April, 2002. The Metro IronWare(TM) operating system that includes the VPLS, MRP and VSRP feature set will be generally available in March, 2002. Sample U.S List Prices: (For pricing on all components, please contact a Foundry sales office.) Base Chassis: NetIron 400 with 1 power supply $3,995 NetIron 800 with 1 power supply $7,995 NetIron 1500 with 2 power supplies $11,995 MetroLink Management Modules: 8-port Gigabit Management Module $14,995 Zero-port Management Module with PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association, San Jose, CA, www.pcmcia.org) An international standards body and trade association that was founded in 1989 to establish a standard for connecting peripherals to portable computers. PCMCIA created the PC Card. See PC Card. slots $14,995 Velocity Management Module $34,995 MetroLink SONET/SDH Interface Modules: 2-port OC-3c SONET/SDH module MM optics (2 Km) $14,995 2-port OC-3c SONET/SDH module SM optics (15 Km) $17,995 2-port OC-3c SONET/SDH module SM optics (40 Km) $21,995 2-port OC-12c SONET/SDH module MM optics (2 Km) $17,995 2-port OC-12c SONET/SDH module SM optics (15 Km) $20,995 2-port OC-12c SONET/SDH module SM optics (40 Km) $24,995 2-port OC-48c SONET/SDH module SM optics (15 Km) with 4 MB TCAM (TeleCommunications Access Method) IBM communications software widely used to transfer data between mainframes and 3270 terminals. See access method. for MTU and PE $24,995 2-port OC-48c SONET/SDH module SM optics (40 Km) with 4 MB TCAM for MTU and PE $34,995 2-port OC-48c SONET/SDH module SM optics (15 Km) with 8 MB TCAM For Metro Core and Internet Edge $53,995 2-port OC-48c SONET/SDH module SM optics (40 Km) with 8 MB TCAM for Metro Core and Internet Edge $65,995 MetroLink ATM Interface Modules: 2-port OC-3c ATM module MM optics (2 Km) $14,995 2-port OC-3c ATM module SM optics (15 Km) $17,995 2-port OC-3c ATM module SM optics (40 Km) $21,995 MetroLink Ethernet Interface Modules: 48-port RJ-45 Module $8,995 48-port RJ-21 Module $10,495 16-port Gigabit fiber interface module $15,995 16-port Gigabit copper interface module $12,995 MetroLink 10-Gigabit Ethernet Interface Modules: with 850nm optics $49,495 (ranges up to 300 meters) with 1310nm serial optics $59,995 (ranges up to 10 kilometers) with 1550nm serial optics $84,995 (ranges up to 40 kilometers) Metro IronWare Operating System: Metro IronWare including MPLS $9,995 About Foundry Networks Foundry Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq:FDRY) is a leading provider of high-performance enterprise and service provider switching, routing and Web traffic management solutions including Layer 2/3 LAN switches, Layer 3 Backbone switches, Layer 4 - 7 Web switches and Metro Routers. Foundry's 4,000 customers include the world's premier ISPs, Metro service providers, and enterprises including e-commerce sites, universities, entertainment, health and wellness, government, financial, and manufacturing companies. Some of these customers include: AOL (A division of Time Warner, Inc., New York, NY, www.aol.com) The world's largest online information service with access to the Internet, e-mail, chat rooms and a variety of databases and services. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :AOL), EarthLink, China Telecom, MSN (1) (MicroSoft Network) A family of Internet-based services from Microsoft, which includes a search engine, e-mail (Hotmail), instant messaging (Windows Live Messaging) and a general-purpose portal with news, information and shopping (MSN Directory). (Nasdaq:MSFT MSFT Microsoft (stock symbol) MSFT Movimento Sociale Fiamma Tricolore (Italy) MSFT Multi-Stage Fitness Test MSFT Master of Science in Family Therapy MSFT Macalester Students for Fair Trade ), Verio, Cable & Wireless (NYSE:CWP CWP Coal workers' pneumoconiosis, see there ), Yahoo! (Nasdaq:YHOO YHOO Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ symbol) ), Incyte Genomics, Inc. (Nasdaq:INCY), Deutsche Bank, The University of Washington, University of Washington, University of, at Seattle; state supported; coeducational; chartered and opened 1861 as the Territorial Univ. of Washington, renamed 1889. There are noted schools of medicine and engineering, and the university operates laboratories for the marine Miami, Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique (INRIA INRIA - Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et Automatique ) of France, The British Library, U.S. Army, Air Force and Navy, NASA NASA: see National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA in full National Aeronautics and Space Administration Independent U.S. and the National Space Development Agency of Japan. For more information about the company and its products, call 1.888.TURBOLAN or visit www.foundrynetworks.com. This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the safe harbor Safe Harbor 1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated. 2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive. created by this section. These forward looking statements include statements regarding planned products or product features (Products) that are under development, such as the NetIron. While Foundry is planning for the commercial availability of such Products, they are still under development and subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, which could delay the planned availability. Actual results may differ materially due to these and other factors. The matters discussed in this press release also involve risks and uncertainties described from time to time in Foundry's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, see the Risk Factors described in Foundry's final Prospectus Final Prospectus A legal document stating the price of a newly issued security, the delivery date, and other facts that are important for investors. Notes: The final prospectus must be given to every investor who purchases a new issue of registered securities. dated September 27, 1999 for its initial public offering as well as its most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K. Foundry assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release. Note to Editors: Foundry Networks, NetIron, IronWare, MetroLink, SuperSpan and the "Iron" family of marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Foundry Networks, Inc. in United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. |
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