OpenVoB Names Participants for First Ever ``Any-to-Any'' VoDSL Interoperability Demonstration at DSLcon
OpenVoB Names Participants for First Ever ``Any-to-Any'' VoDSL Interoperability Demonstration at DSLcon
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 3, 2001--Voice Gateway, IAD and Component Products from Multiple Vendors Give Carriers a Wealth of Viable Options for Deploying Standards-Based Voice over Broadband Networks
OpenVoB(tm) today announced that nine of its members have qualified to participate in the industry's first public demonstration of "any-to-any" interoperability between voice gateways and IADs from multiple vendors within a single standards-based VoDSL network.
The objective of the OpenVoB Interoperability ShowCase is to demonstrate the viability of a truly interoperable, standards-based VoDSL implementation model and thereby accelerate the deployment of broadband voice technology, applications and services.
Voice gateways from Accelerated Networks, General Bandwidth and MetaSwitch, and IADs from Accelerated Networks, Avail Networks, Broadband Gateways, Efficient Networks, ishoni Networks, Polycom and Texas Instruments will form the heart of a single VoDSL network based on the ATM Forum's AAL2 Loop Emulation Service (LES) and configured according to the recently released OpenVoB D1 Implementation Model. The D1 Model provides a set of implementation guidelines that ensure a common level of interoperability among VoDSL gateway and IAD products based on the ATM Forum's LES specification. By adhering to these guidelines, any IAD or voice gateway is able to operate with any other gateway or IAD on the network.
"The significance of this demonstration is that the availability of multi-vendor VoDSL has been proactively advanced, by replacing costly and time-consuming one-to-one testing between pairs of gateway and IAD vendors with a more effective collaborative effort," said Jim Lawrence of Stratecast Partners, an industry analyst firm. "OpenVoB deserves credit for fostering an environment in which engineers from competing firms are able to meet on neutral territory to sort through practical implementation issues and define common levels of functionality within a set of ATM Forum standards rich in options. This reduces time to market and expense for all vendors by laying down a base-line of proven any-to-any interoperability, and should go a long way toward preventing new technology 'horror stories' that would hinder the growth of VoDSL deployment."
"This inaugural OpenVoB Interoperability ShowCase is a culmination of cooperative engineering development and interoperability testing conducted over the past six months by members of OpenVoB, and marks the first opportunity for the group to publicly demonstrate the results of our combined efforts," said Ken Cavanaugh, chairperson of OpenVoB. "These events, and others like it, will continue to play a key role in bringing deployable VoDSL solutions to market going forward."
The LES Implementation Guide is available immediately and can be accessed at http://www.openvob.org/. A detailed network diagram of the ShowCase and other technical information will be available at the ShowCase itself and available on the OpenVoB Web site the day of the event. A corresponding interoperability test plan has also been developed for use in validating LES implementations and is scheduled for release in the second quarter.
OpenVoB is an independent special interest group open to all companies, individuals and organizations willing to contribute to the accelerated deployment of standards-based voice over broadband services. The group is not seeking to develop new standards or modify existing standards, nor does it promote the specific technologies, products or services of any individual company or vendor-specific alliance. To the contrary, OpenVoB is calling upon all equipment vendors, service providers, trade organizations and others -- partners and competitors alike -- to join the current team of over 25 OpenVoB members and help drive true VoDSL interoperability.
About OpenVoB
OpenVoB was formed in May 2000, to meet the expressed needs of service providers planning to deploy voice over broadband services by facilitating multi-vendor, system-level interoperability of packetized voice services based on existing and emerging industry specifications. The group leverages a cooperative engineering approach to create deployment models and test plans that enable and promote the development of valid implementations of interoperable gateways, IADs and other VoB products from multiple equipment vendors.
Members of OpenVoB have drafted a white paper that outlines the pressing need for this organization and presents a road map detailing the steps the group is taking to reach its primary objectives. The white paper can be found on the OpenVoB Web site , which also hosts a wealth of information about the OpenVoB organization, FAQs, online technical discussion groups and other resources. For more information about becoming a member of OpenVoB, please contact Michael Ares.
OpenVoB Members Participating in the ShowCase
Accelerated Networks
www.acceleratednetworks.com
Accelerated Networks develops and markets multiservice broadband access products that enable telecommunications service providers to bundle voice and data services over a single broadband access network. These products are designed to allow service providers to efficiently and cost-effectively deliver and manage a broad range of voice and data services such as high-speed Internet access, local dial tone, long distance voice, frame relay, and voice and data VPNs, using DSL, T1, NxT1, or DS3 technologies, and are based on open industry standards to simplify multi-vendor interoperability.
Avail Networks
http://www.availnetworks.com/
Avail Networks designs, develops, and markets network access solutions worldwide for next-generation convergence applications such as integrated data, voice, and video over single broadband connections. Avail's flagship products -- the Frontera(tm) family of multi-service access platforms -- enable service providers to deliver integrated broadband communications services to end-user sites in commercial office buildings, office parks, and single-business locations.999
Broadband Gateways
http://www.bbgateways.com/
Broadband Gateways Inc. provides leading-edge wired and wireless integrated access devices in the broadband voice and data market. The company offers the EVOLO system, an Intelligent Premises Gateway for residential and small business applications. The EVOLO system distributes and manages wireless and wireline, voice and data broadband services into and throughout the premises.
Efficient Networks
http://www.efficient.com
Efficient Networks Inc. (Nasdaq:EFNT) is a leading global provider of broadband Internet access products that employ digital subscriber line (DSL) technology. The company's voice and data access solutions enable high-performance network services for both small to mid-sized businesses and consumers. As part of its complete broadband solution, Efficient also provides network management systems that extend from the core of carriers' networks to the subscribers' desktops.
General Bandwidth
http://www.genband.com/
General Bandwidth Inc. is a telecommunications equipment manufacturer that enables toll quality voice services to residential and business customers across emerging broadband access networks such as digital subscriber line (DSL), cable and wireless. The company's Voice over Broadband (VoBroadband(tm)) gateway -- the G6(tm) -- provides multiple derived voice lines over a single broadband connection, allowing service providers to offer packetized "last mile" voice services that meet and exceed the quality and functionality of today's POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service).
ishoni networks
http://www.ishoni.com/
ishoni Networks builds "Broadband Engines for the New Internet" that allow OEMs to offer residential and business customers secure voice and Internet services over a single broadband connection. ishoni offers OEMs a silicon and software solution that allows them to more quickly, more easily and more affordably build broadband gateway products offering voice, data and security services.
MetaSwitch
http://www.\b metaswitch\b0 .com/
MetaSwitch is a division of Data Connection (DCL) established to provide fully packaged, flexible and fault-tolerant products to service providers building converged network solutions. The first product in the MetaSwitch product family -- the VP3000 -- is an integrated Voice-over-DSL switch combining DSL voice gateway and Class 5 switch functions in a single, high density, carrier class system.
Polycom
http://www.polycom.com
Located in Milpitas, Calif., in the heart of Silicon Valley, Polycom Inc. develops, manufactures and markets a full range of premium-quality, media-rich communication tools and network access solutions. Polycom's integrated communication solutions enable business users to immediately realize the benefits of video, voice and data over rapidly growing converged networks. For additional information, call 1-800-POLYCOM (765-9266) or 408/526-9000, or visit the Polycom Web site. www.polycom.com
Texas Instruments
http://www.ti.com
Texas Instruments Incorporated is the world leader in digital signal processing and analog technologies, the semiconductor engines of the Internet age. TI and its subsidiary, Telogy Networks, A Texas Instruments Company, provide complete voice over broadband solutions for VoDSL, VoCable, and gateway applications. Product information is available at: http://www.ti.com/sc/broadband or at http://www.telogy.com/broadband.