PairGain Introduces the Avidia System; Next-generation Integrated Access Concentrator Leap-frogs Competition.Avidia is the Industry's First and Only Platform to Enable Mass Deployment of DSL-based Services; Bridges the Gap Between Voice and Data Services TUSTIN, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 6, 1998--PairGain(R) Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: PAIR) today announced the release of the Avidia(TM) System, an integrated access concentrator See remote access concentrator. that sets a precedent for the future of broadband access See broadband and wireless broadband. by providing an unequaled capacity of 1,296 ports in a single seven-foot rack at a breakthrough price point. The Avidia System is based on a fully distributed Fully distributed A new stock issue that has been completely resold to the investing public and is no longer held by dealers. fully distributed Of or relating to a new issue of securities that has been sold out. ATM, packet and circuit switched architecture that combines the redundancy, scaleability and quality of service support required in carrier networks. The Avidia System includes support for a wide range of service options, including G.lite, full-rate DMT See DSL. ADSL See DSL. ADSL - Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line , SDSL See DSL. SDSL - Single-line Digital Subscriber Line , T1, E1 and frame relay A high-speed packet switching protocol used in wide area networks (WANs). Providing a granular service of up to DS3 speed (45 Mbps), it has become popular for LAN to LAN connections across remote distances, and services are offered by most major carriers. . The Avidia System is currently being evaluated by a number of PairGain customers. Gregg Palinski, Manager of Transmission Services for Frontier Telephone of Rochester states, "Frontier selected PairGain's Avidia System for evaluation because of its ability to support multiple DSL DSL in full Digital Subscriber Line Broadband digital communications connection that operates over standard copper telephone wires. It requires a DSL modem, which splits transmissions into two frequency bands: the lower frequencies for voice (ordinary formats, and PairGain's DMT chipset. We look forward to getting the product into trial in coming weeks." The system can be configured as a DSLAM (DSL Access Multiplexor) A central office (CO) device for ADSL service that intermixes voice traffic and DSL traffic onto a customer's DSL line. It also separates incoming phone and data signals and directs them onto the appropriate carrier's network. See DSL. , access server or LAN (Local Area Network) A communications network that serves users within a confined geographical area. The "clients" are the user's workstations typically running Windows, although Mac and Linux clients are also used. extension concentrator, and is ideal for high-speed Internet access, telecommuting telecommuting, an arrangement by which people work at home using a computer and telephone, transmitting work material to a business office by means of a modem and telephone lines; it is also known as telework. and private network applications. Only Avidia delivers the service flexibility, port density and deployment options necessary for widespread broadband network access. PairGain expects the Avidia System to find wide acceptance amongst its customer base, including ILECs, PTTs, CLECS, ISPs and private enterprise owners worldwide. "PairGain anticipates that the Avidia System will be a key element in the way new access networks will be built in the future. This integrated system may reduce the costs of building next-generation telecommunications networks by as much as 90 percent," said Chuck Strauch, PairGain's 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. . PairGain is also announcing a new family of Megabit Modems(TM) that together with the Avidia System, provide a complete end-to-end solution for telcos, CLECs (Competitive Local Exchange Carriers) and private network operators, enabling them to deploy the concentrator, access server and modems using one interoperable product family. Avidia System Features/Benefits Avidia is the only DSL solution available today that supports up to 648 full-rate DMT ADSL users in a single bay, nearly twice the density of competitive products. A follow-on release of PairGain's ADSL channel card will support nearly 1,300 full-rate DMT ADSL subscribers in a single bay. Avidia's ADSL ports can be configured to operate in G.lite or full-rate DMT mode via software control. Power consumption is nominally less than 1 watt per port, through use of Avidia's unique PowerGain(TM) feature, meeting full NEBS compliance, even at maximum density. Rate-adaptive SDSL modules plug side-by-side with ADSL modules and provide symmetric frame-based transport up to 2 Mbps on a single pair. The Avidia System can be configured to provide best-effort service to consumers while providing specific service level guarantees to business customers. The Avidia System and Megabit Modems can allow a subscriber to run multiple sessions simultaneously, each with its own appropriate quality of service. For example, a single subscriber can run Internet access, an e-mail application and video, simultaneously, all over a single line. Each of the three traffic streams can be sourced from different content providers and can be managed separately. Installed Base Support The Avidia System will be the flagship platform for PairGain's entire DSL product family and will eventually support the vast installed base of over one million PairGain DSL nodes. Avidia will immediately support the large installed base of single-pair Campus remotes, commonly deployed in local area networks worldwide. Avidia will thus leverage PairGain's existing customer relationships and provide a clear migration path to a next-generation edge-switch. Avidia Platform and Architecture The Avidia System leverages the latest in silicon and microprocessor technology to enable unmatched density and scaleability while reducing per port costs. Avidia includes two multi-gigabit backplane busses which can be used in a load-sharing, primary/secondary or "split" mode arrangement to improve reliability and balance traffic. Switching, traffic management and systems management functions are fully distributed to each line or channel card. Subscriber configuration parameters and provisioning information is stored redundantly, so that any card can be swapped without the need to re-configure the system. Each module includes a 300 MIPS (Million Instructions Per Second) The execution speed of a computer. For example, .5 MIPS is 500,000 instructions per second; 100 MIPS is a hundred million instructions per second. RISC processor to perform advanced traffic management and system control. Line interfaces can be fully "protected" and the OC-3c / STM-1 line interface includes dual SONET / SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy) The European counterpart to SONET. See SONET. SDH - Synchronous Digital Hierarchy optical interfaces, completing a system that has no single points of failure. Avidia Chassis, Channel and Line Cards PairGain is offering a variety of chassis, line and channel card options for use with Avidia. The first products include the following: -- Avidia Model 8000 Central Office 21-Slot Concentrator -- Avidia Model 8100 Central Office 240 Line ADSL Voice Shelf -- Avidia Model 640 ADSL 12-line POTS Splitter Module -- Avidia Model 3000 5-Slot Concentrator -- Avidia Model 200 Network Management Module -- Avidia Model 312 OC-3c / STM-1 Line Card -- Avidia Model 541 12-port DMT RADSL / G.lite Cell Channel Card -- Avidia Model 421 24-port Rate-Adaptive SDSL Channel Card PairGain will also be introducing a 6xT1/E1 Inverse Mux ATM Line Card, a 12 port T1/E1 Circuit Emulation Card, a DS3/E3 ATM Line Card, a 10/100BASE-T Line card, a 19 inch version of the high-density chassis and a small 3-slot access concentrator for remote cabinets. Also available at first customer shipment are a number of management and protocol software options. Avidia Service Options The Avidia System is based on a powerful ATM switch, enabling telcos, CLEC/ISPs and private network operators to offer a wide range of service options. Quality of Service types including CBR (1) (Computer-Based Reference) Reference materials accessible by computer in order to help people do their jobs quicker. For example, this database on disk! (2) (Constant Bit Rate) A uniform transmission rate. , VBR-rt, VBR-nrt, UBR (Unspecified Bit Rate) An asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) level of service that does not guarantee available bandwidth. It is very efficient, but not used for critical data. and GFR GFR - Grim File Reaper allow service tiering and bit-rate guarantees critical to maximizing service revenue. Avidia also supports tunneling and Virtual Private Network service options via L2TP (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol) A protocol from the IETF that allows a PPP session to travel over multiple links and networks. L2TP is used to allow remote users access to the corporate network. and IEEE 802.1Q virtual LANs to support business customers. PairGain's ServiceSelect(TM) and EasySession(TM) make the installation, provisioning and service-type selection process simple. In addition, the AvidiaWare(TM) protocol software packages allow different uses of Avidia. Avidia MuxWare(TM), included at no charge, allows Avidia to operate as a multiplexer or conventional DSLAM for applications within telco central offices where consumer DSL service is provided. Optional Avidia SwitchWare(TM) is available for providers that want to operate Avidia as a dynamic cell-relay or frame-relay switch to offer and control network (trunk) over-subscription, tiered selection of service, classification of service and additional connectivity options. For non-regulated access/service providers and private network operators that want to enable a dial-on demand model and local termination of the traffic, PairGain offers optional Avidia InterWare(TM). Avidia InterWare is a full-featured integrated access server that includes an internetworking software stack for routing and session termination, address administration, security and accounting functions. Components of Avidia InterWare include dynamic IP routing, PPP/ATM PPP/ATM Point-to-Point Protocol Over Asynchronous Transfer Mode via L2TP tunneling, NAT/PAT, PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) The most popular method for transporting IP packets over a serial link between the user and the ISP. Developed in 1994 by the IETF and superseding the SLIP protocol, PPP establishes the session between the user's computer and the ISP using authentication and termination functions for up to 4,000 simultaneous sessions, DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) Software that automatically assigns temporary IP addresses to client stations logging into an IP network. It eliminates having to manually assign permanent "static" IP addresses. DHCP software runs in servers and routers. , Radius Client and Multi-Protocol Over Frame-Relay. Avidia IQ Network Management The Avidia System includes a range of network management options, including SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) A widely used network monitoring and control protocol. Data are passed from SNMP agents, which are hardware and/or software processes reporting activity in each network device (hub, router, bridge, etc. and HTML/Java Web-based, local craft, and remote serial line interfaces. Avidia's primary management option is Avidia IQ(TM). Avidia IQ is an object-oriented network management application that runs on HP OpenView for Sun Solaris or Windows NT. It includes a hierarchical, distributed management architecture, as well as a sophisticated user interface, utilities for configuration, fault management/isolation, performance monitoring and security. Pricing and Availability The Avidia System is priced to compete, with an estimated average cost of $200 to $500 per port, depending on system configuration, line type and volume. The Avidia System will ship in December, 1998. Networld+Interop Atlanta PairGain will be exhibiting its Avidia System and Megabit Modems at NetWorld+Interop, Atlanta, on October 21-23, 1998 in booth number 1011. About PairGain PairGain Technologies, Inc. is the world leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of DSL (Digital Subscriber Line See DSL. (communications, protocol) Digital Subscriber Line - (DSL, or Digital Subscriber Loop, xDSL - see below) A family of digital telecommunications protocols designed to allow high speed data communication over the existing copper telephone lines between end-users and ) networking systems. Service providers and private network operators worldwide use PairGain's products to deploy DSL-based services, such as high-speed Internet, remote LAN access and enterprise LAN extensions over the existing infrastructure of copper telephones lines. For more than ten years, PairGain has been recognized as a technology leader and industry innovator. The company offers the widest range of HDSL See DSL. HDSL - High bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line , ADSL and SDSL-based systems available. Its product lines include HiGain(R) T1/E1 access systems, small subscriber carrier systems, including PG-Flex(TM) and PG-Plus(TM), enterprise LAN systems and megabit access solutions, including the Avidia System, integrated access concentrator and Megabit Modems. Currently, more than 1,000,000 PairGain DSL nodes are installed in over 70 countries. Additional information about PairGain is available on the Internet at www.pairgain.com. Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in the announcement are forward-looking statements which involve risk and uncertainties, including but not limited to economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting the Company's operations, markets, products, services and prices and other factors discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
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