Unisphere Networks Introduces IS QoS; New ERX Product Feature Enables Service Providers to Ensure Delivery of Ip Data, Voice and Video Services.

Business/Technology Editors

WESTFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 5, 2001

Unisphere Networks Inc. today introduced IS QoS(TM) (Intelligent Service Quality of Service), an enhancement to its ERX Edge Routers. IS QoS utilizes new technology in the ERX to prioritize traffic, enabling service providers to more reliably create and deliver revenue-generating services over IP.

Leveraging the ERX's new Subscriber Class Based Queuing (S-CBQ) technology and wire-speed ASIC-based architecture, Quality of Service can now be extended to the individual subscriber level, a significant increase in scalability. By creating an environment where several traffic classes can be assigned per individual subscriber, multiple latency-sensitive services can be delivered and maintained simultaneously without service degradation.

IS QoS is a critical element of Unisphere Networks' ISPOP(TM), a suite of next generation voice and data networking products that enable revenue-generating IP services. Unisphere Networks' IS QoS serves as the common technology for new enhanced applications such as voice, video and VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) that are delivered across IP networks.

"Service providers want a scalable, standards-based strategy that supports both traditional and IP-based end-points, especially given the proliferation of devices available as IP voice end-points," said Michael Howard, principal analyst at Infonetics Research. "Unisphere is offering a solution that combines unique IP voice service QoS functions of the ERX family of products with carrier-grade voice products to ensure end-to-end quality."

New Technology Supports IS QoS

The new S-CBQ technology in the ERX provides service classes on a per subscriber basis, a significant departure from the currently available QoS technology. By extending IP QoS to individual subscribers, service providers are able to meet subscribers' specific Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

Unisphere Networks' S-CBQ technology supports both Hierarchical Round Robin (HRR) and Strict Priority Algorithms to differentiate service offerings based on application type, such as voice, video-on-demand and video broadcast. The S-CBQ support in the ERX scales to tens of thousands of individual queues per line card, enabling service providers to assign multiple service classes per subscriber with each subscriber and each class assigned a separate queue.

"Consider the power of an IP QoS infrastructure that is able to leverage features like S-CBQ for service delivery based on application type," said Chris Lawler, general manager, Unisphere Networks' IP Routing Business Unit. "Our customers are now able to deliver high performance applications like VoIP to their subscribers because Unisphere Networks' IS QoS assures toll-quality delivery of a voice call, regardless of burst conditions or congestion in the network."

About the ERX Edge Router

Unisphere Networks' ERX Edge Routers deliver the next-generation IP infrastructure that enables many of the world's leading service providers to deploy high-speed Internet connections and value-added IP services to both businesses and consumers. The ERX product family provides wire-speed performance, sophisticated routing capabilities, carrier-class reliability and high capacity port density. The ERX features leading-edge technologies such as IP QoS, Virtual Private Networks and MPLS. Used in combination with Unisphere Networks' Service Selection Center (SSC), the ERX provides a comprehensive dynamic service creation, activation and accounting system that delivers revenue generating services such as tiered Internet and media rich services. Unisphere Networks' ERX product family includes three models: the high-capacity ERX-1440, the mid-range ERX-1400, and the low-end ERX-705. Each model features a full suite of Internet routing protocols, including BGP-4, IS-IS, OSPF, and RIP. For more information on Unisphere Networks' ERX Edge Routers visithttp://www.unispherenetworks.com/index/home/products/ip_routing.html.

About Unisphere Networks

Unisphere Networks, Inc. is a leading provider of carrier-grade IP networking solutions to enable data, voice and rich media services. The Unisphere Networks IS POPTM product framework, along with its service and support organization, enables leading service providers to deploy revenue-generating services with quality, reliability and wire-speed performance at the network edge. Founded in 1999, the company is headquartered in Westford, Mass. More than 30 sales offices worldwide and a network of international resellers serve its globally diverse customer base. For more information, please visit the Web site at http://www.unispherenetworks.com.

Unisphere Networks is a trademark of Unisphere Networks Inc. All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.