Toshiba Announces CSR 5300 IP Intranet and Internet Network Traffic Solution; Unique Dual-Mode Operation Utilizes Topology- and Flow-Driven Methods to Provide Flexible Network Layer Switching.

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 28, 1997--Demonstrating its commitment to provide high-speed IP (Internet Protocol) switching technology with ATM interoperability, Toshiba Corporation today announced a next-generation IP switch, the CSR 5300, that delivers new levels of high-speed data transmission necessary to meet the burgeoning bandwidth demands of today while addressing the network traffic challenges of emerging Internet and Intranet applications.

The CSR 5300 will be demonstrated at ComNet '97, which will be held February 4-6 at the Washington, D.C. Convention Center.

The CSR 5300 integrates cell switch router (CSR) technology with an ATM switch to provide high-speed switching of IP packets. The CSR technology enables this performance improvement by setting up cut-through paths directly through the network for IP traffic and thus avoiding the hop-by-hop processing delays incurred when using conventional routers.

The CSR 5300 supports the transmission of 4.2 million data packets-per-second (PPS) over asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks. The CSR 5300 is an ideal solution for enterprise networks and Internet service providers who need to remove the bottlenecks imposed by their current technology.

The CSR 5300 provides a maximum number of 1024 VC sessions over 14 OC3c ports which support both fiber and UTP interfaces. It also complies to ATM Forum UNI 3.0/3.1 signaling specifications.

Network Integration

The CSR 5300 can be easily integrated into the following networks, immediately providing dramatic performance improvements:

-- In an existing router network through its support of standard routing protocols such as RIP, OSPF, BGP and DVMRP;

-- Unlike other IP switching technologies, interoperable with existing ATM networks through a standard UNI interface;

-- Support of Ipsilon's IFMP protocol, allowing coexistence with IP switching networks.

"The increase of distributed client server data traffic, expanded user populations and more complex Internet and intranet applications have created new bandwidth bottlenecks and the need for a new communications infrastructure to address the high-speed transmission and real-time processing needs of today's and tomorrow's LAN and WAN environments," said Hiroshi Esaki, chief architect of Toshiba's CSR initiative, computer and network division.

CSR Multi-Protocol Dual-Mode Architecture

Toshiba will also incorporate in its CSR technology a new dual-mode approach to IP switching in order to provide high-throughput performance and scalability.

The CSR's unique dual-mode approach to establishing cut-through path forwarding provides both a flow-driven method and topology- driven method to detect IP flows that can be subject to cut-through forwarding.

In flow-driven switching, the cut-through path is established on demand, according to the actual appearance of packet flow at the node. In topology-driven switching, the cut-through forwarding is established in advance, according to the topology of the network. CSR is the first technology to offer both techniques, providing the ability to choose both approaches simultaneously in order to optimize network traffic in any given situation.

For example, the pre-configured topology-driven method would allow every packet in a session to be cut through. The flow-driven dynamic approach provides a more flexible method by giving individual connections across the network, thus allowing the allocation of the correct service level for each application.

"Toshiba's solution differs from competitive offerings in that it is the first product that provides a dual-mode architecture, ATM interoperability and, in the future, support for other protocols. Other vendors have high-performance IP switching products which utilize either the topology- or flow-driven approach, but no other company has integrated these two techniques in one product," Esaki explained.

Distribution

Toshiba is marketing the CSR 5300 in Japan through Toshiba's sales channels. The Company is also licensing CSR to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and will introduce the CSR 5300 to the U.S. market through distributor and VAR sales channels.

Toshiba

Headquartered in Tokyo, Toshiba Corporation is an integrated manufacturer of electronic products and systems in information and communication systems, information media and consumer products, power systems and industrial equipment, and electronics components and materials. In the fiscal year which ended March 1996, the Company registered net sales of $5.1 billion and had 186,000 employees worldwide.

CONTACT: Toshiba Corporation

Arata Ando, 714/587-6306

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The Weber Group

Michele Landry, 415/463-8620

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