Performance announces first DSL gateway to simultaneously support cap and DMT line cards and scaleability for up to 500 modems.

ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 16, 1997

-- New CopperCluster DSL gateway will enable large-scale rollout

of DSL services, while uniquely providing both ATM and Ethernet LAN 

interfaces, with secure Ethernet bridging --

Soon, service providers will be able to offer DSL service on a wide scale as the result of Performances announcement today of its CopperCluster DSL gateway -- the first to support modems with different line codes.

The CopperCluster gateway aggregates multi-protocol, multimedia traffic from many local homes and businesses and concentrates that digital data onto high-capacity, wide-area-network facilities. This provides efficient, economical access to LANs and information servers around the world.

CopperCluster systems will support Performances line of modems, which offer 7Mbps speeds -- the fastest commercially-viable products available. By using its CAP-based modems initially, Performance is ensuring that the most economical and immediate solution is available for 1997 deployment. As demand increases, the scalability of the CopperCluster platform will enable service providers to simply slot in more capacity to meet demand.

Performances CopperCluster system is more scaleable and versatile than DSL access multiplexers (DSLAMs) and will offer service providers multiple differentiated levels of service. Examples include allowing each modem to automatically adjust its modem data rates to line lengths and conditions, as well as fully supporting ATM quality of service (QoS) structures. The new system will also provide a clear, scalable migration path to optimal solutions that wont require large upgrades. The gateway was designed for low-cost, high-density configurations, with the initial version providing support for 256 DSL modems. The technology advances in VLSI integration in Performances labs will enable the CopperCluster to respond to the explosive growth of the DSL industry by doubling its density and capacity in 1998.

"The dual line code support offered with the CopperCluster gateway will enable service providers to make the immediate investment in CAP-based modems and, when DMT chips meet size, power and cost requirements, they will be able to support both technologies, if they so choose," said Performances Chairman and CEO, John Slusser. "Most DMT solutions today do not meet the density or cost requirements of the market and may not for some time.

"This is the perfect solution also for OEMs who can gain immediate DSL market entry by taking the CopperCluster system and incorporating it in their packet or cell switches," said Slusser. "We fully intend to help accelerate the DSL market by making the CopperCluster available to other equipment vendors, as is the case with our Champion DSL modems and our CopperAccel HDSL products.

"As a result, we are partnering with a number of large vendors, which will remove the proprietary obstacles from the DSL rollout efforts that are rapidly increasing. In less than nine months weve gone from having no phone companies with announced DSL service plans, to nearly all major phone companies worldwide with DSL initiatives. And the phenomenal growth of this industry will be even more fascinating in the next nine months."

The CopperCluster architecture is NEBS and EC compliant and will integrate ATM technology end-to-end, with each rack containing network interface modules (NIMs) that can link to an ATM edge switch or backbone switch on the network side. Performance will offer a choice of NIMs for varied U.S. and international operating environments and traffic loads, including a 25Mbps ATM interface, as well as Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, DS1/E1, DS3/E3 or OC3/STM1 connections. The gateway is also tailored for country-specific power and safety requirements.

"The great benefit of the CopperCluster gateway is that customers are future-proofed by being able to support Ethernet today and ATM tomorrow," said Performances vice president of sales and marketing, Jim Gulley. Performances new gateway also will provide a unique operational architecture that provides the following support:

-- Billing/accounting systems interface

-- Security and fraud management

-- Inventory and asset management

-- Systems monitoring and diagnostics

The six-foot CopperCluster gateway will be available in multiple configurations, including central office models and remote neighborhood-based units. The CopperCluster rack will contain four shelves, with each shelf providing 16 slots in a 19-inch/48 cm. configuration and 20 slots in a 23-inch/58 cm. configuration. The first two slots are reserved for a NIM, as well as a Data Control Module (DCM). The shelf can also be configured with two NIMs and two DCMs for redundant operations or for traffic load balancing. All remaining slots are for DSL line cards.

Each line card in the CopperCluster gateway will initially support four rate adaptive DSL modems, which allows each shelf to support 64 modems and each rack to accomodate 256 DSL lines. Additionally, the shelf can contain both CAP and DMT modems simultaneously and each line card can be configured for symmetrical or asymmetrical operation. The customer premises device will be a new model of Performances Champion modem that incorporates an ATM-compatible segmentation and reassembly chip set and other ATM chips to support permanent and switched-virtual circuits. The Champion modems can be configured for native ATM or for multiprotocol LAN emulation to support Ethernet and other LAN protocols, including SNA. The Champion modems provide secure workgroup Ethernet bridging and serves as a self-learning bridge, which dramatically simplifies address administration. The modems can also be managed in SNMP-compatible network management systems, such as HP OpenView, and also incorporate advanced features, such as accounting and session management. Performance also will provide interoperability between its CAP-based modems and QAM modems.

This new gateway platform will provide a number of new industry solutions, including direct billing systems interfaces compatible with back office operations worldwide. The system also offers session management that enables carriers to comply with equal access requirements. The CopperCluster system will also feature cutback power and full power boost that will enable it to supply extra power to boost the reach in rate adaptive applications.

"The CopperCluster gateway enables customers to take advantage of proven LAN technologies, while protecting service providers from technology obsolescence as customer applications evolve to require different class of service support," said Gulley. "Lab tests with service providers have clearly demonstrated that Performances cell processing rates are significantly faster than any other industry offering."

Performance Telecom, based in Rochester, is a pioneer and leading innovator of DSL products. Performance developed the worlds first commercially-viable 7Mbps DSL modem and also the first DSL modem for use in an ISP trial using DSL. Performance is supplying telephone companies, PTTs and other types of service providers with a broad range of rate adaptive ADSL, HDSL and SDSL equipment. The company also operates its InformationView subsidiary, which develops and markets advanced end user billing and information management systems for carriers. For more information, please visit Performances Web site at www.performance.com. Performance will be exhibiting in booth 1407 at Comnet, where they will demonstrate DSL multimedia Internet applications. -0-

CopperAccel and CopperCluster are trademarks of Performance Telecom Corp.

CONTACT: Garrick Case, 813-556-2600