TAZZ Networks(R) Fuels Evolution to Next-Generation IP Services; New Application Module Delivers Graceful Migration from Legacy to Next-Generation Service Delivery Architecture.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- TAZZ Networks, Inc., the leading provider of policy control solutions that assure the quality of IP services, today announced the release of the NGN Application Module for the TAZZ Policy Control System (PCS). With the Next-Generation Network (NGN) Application Module, service providers can easily transition their network architecture for the successful delivery of next-generation IP services, such as VoIP, video on demand, and IPTV - over both wireline and wireless networks.

The NGN Application Module is a collection of functional components that can be used individually or collectively to create an intelligent signaling control layer that is compliant with next-generation standards such as TISPAN and IMS. This new module enables the on-demand delivery of next-generation IP services and allows service providers to gracefully evolve from today's best effort services to resource and quality guaranteed applications.

By creating an intelligent control layer that gracefully migrates networks from legacy to next-generation the NGN Application Module enables the TAZZ PCS to deliver support for a broad range of applications. With support for SIP, non-SIP, and "over the top" applications - applications created and delivered by a third party -service providers can leverage the TAZZ PCS to deliver a unified service experience via an extensible architecture, accelerating the delivery of next-generation IP services over a converged network infrastructure.

"Based on our extensive work with leading service providers, network equipment vendors, and standards bodies, TAZZ has created a platform that is uniquely suited to accelerate the implementation of next-generation network architectures such as TISPAN and IMS," stated Jared Rosoff, CTO of TAZZ Networks. "We architected the PCS from its inception with the goal of creating a highly distributed, carrier-grade, service delivery architecture that empowered next-generation networks with unprecedented levels flexibility, agility and extensibility. I think the NGN Application Module delivers on our goal."

The NGN Application Module enables the TAZZ PCS to be fully compliant with the ETSI TISPAN Release 1 deployment architecture. This module ensures the delivery of quality assured services from the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) application framework or other non-SIP application frameworks. The TAZZ platform enables service providers to simplify and accelerate the creation and delivery of resource-guaranteed and quality-assured applications, enabling them to achieve their objectives for next-generation network architectures - accelerated time-to-market, enhanced subscriber experiences and reduced operating costs.

The TAZZ PCS functions as the Resource and Admission Control Sub-system (RACS) within the TISPAN architecture, delivering the Service Policy Decision Function (SPDF) and the Access - Resource and Admission Control Function (A-RACF). With these components, TAZZ provides a highly distributed and scaleable architecture that works seamlessly with Services Sub-systems such as IMS.

The NGN Application Module provides the necessary components for service providers to accelerate the introduction of resource guaranteed and quality assured applications onto NGNs. The PCS leverages Application Modules to enable the rapid assembly of proven components to create compelling service offerings that reflect the service provider's business model. This significantly reduces the time, cost, and complexity associated with the creation and deployment of next-generation IP services. The functional components of the NGN Application Module include:

Signaling Interface Function - The Signaling Interface
        Function (SIF) provides an exposure interface for TAZZ PCS
        capabilities. The SIF mediates external applications
        requesting QoS services from the PCS.

        Admission Control Function - The Admission Control Function
        (ACF) provides the core logic for performing admission
        control. This component is programmed with a set of policies
        (event-condition-action sets) that define the desired
        admission control behavior. These policies can be customized
        to the specific needs of the service provider.

        Path Computation Function - The Path Computation Function
        (PCF) uses topology knowledge to determine the resources
        affected by a QoS request. The PCF is used in multiple aspects
        of the system. The PCS Director uses the PCF to determine the
        PCS Resource Controllers to consult for an admission control
        decision for a QoS request. The PCS Resource Controller uses
        the PCF to determine the specific network path affected by a
        QoS request.

        Topology Database Function - The Topology Database Function
        (TDF) stores network resource topology information, which it
        exposes to the PCF for path computation. The TDF is the master
        store for network topology information used by the PCS
        Resource Controller, as well as IP Pool information used by
        the PCS Director.

        Session Database Function - The Session Database Function
        (SDF) stores information related to dynamic network sessions.
        It is populated by the Session Awareness Function (SAF). The
        SDF tracks active PPP or DHCP sessions on the network as well
        as QoS flows signaled by the application layer. The SDF stores
        user session data relative to the PPP or DHCP session.

        Network Discovery Function - The Network Discovery Function
        (NDF) populates and maintains the information in the TDF. The
        NDF synchronizes additional information about network topology
        with external resources to ensure accuracy.

        Session Awareness Function - The Session Awareness Function
        (SAF) populates and maintains the information in the SDF. The
        SAF dynamically populates the associations between IP Address,
        BRAS, VC, and VP in the SDF.

        Network Adaptation Function - The Network Adaptation Function
        (NAF) dynamically resizes network links and queue sizes, based
        on the ability of the underlying network to adapt after a
        request from the ACF.

About TAZZ Networks

TAZZ Networks is a leading provider of policy control software that empowers service providers to significantly reduce costs, speed time to delivery and strengthen brand awareness with customers by enabling the quality-assured delivery of broadband services such as IPTV, VoD and VoIP. The TAZZ Policy Control System(TM) is a first of its kind solution designed to unify all service delivery resources in order to create a flexible and agile network that gracefully evolves from legacy to next generation - IMS and TISPAN - while accelerating the introduction, delivery and management of revenue-generating IP services. TAZZ solutions position service providers to succeed in the increasingly competitive world of next generation IP services. For more information on TAZZ Networks, please visit www.tazznetworks.com.