Ciena® Corporation (NASDAQ:CIEN), the network specialist, today announced the CN 5060™ Multiservice Carrier Ethernet Platform, a next-generation Ethernet-optimized platform, enabling a cost-effective transition to converged Ethernet switching in metro and edge aggregation networks. The CN 5060, part of a comprehensive strategy that enhances the IP and Ethernet value proposition of Ciena’s FlexSelect™ Architecture [see related announcement: “Ciena Expands FlexSelect Architecture with New and Enhanced Ethernet Platforms to Create Flexible, Performance-grade Carrier Ethernet Networks”], enables high-performance business services, residential broadband aggregation and 2G/3G wireless backhaul.
As service providers transition to Ethernet-centric infrastructures, they require platforms that enable a smooth migration to converged packet networks by supporting customers connected with MEF-based Ethernet services as well as TDM private lines and existing data VPN services. With the large installed base of TDM and legacy packet-based services and customers, service flexibility and service delivery cost reductions are critical requirements to enable network operators to enhance and differentiate service offerings. As a key element of Ciena’s FlexSelect for Ethernet solution, the CN 5060 delivers E-Line and E-LAN services, Advanced Ethernet Interworking for Layer 2 services, MPLS functionality, and support for TDM over packet (TDMoP) capabilities to enable service providers to deliver any service over a performance-grade Carrier Ethernet network.
“Our research clearly shows that the migration to Ethernet aggregation networks represents one of the strongest growth opportunities in the global telecom infrastructure market,” said Mark Bieberich, vice president, communications infrastructure, Yankee Group. “The vendors that can deliver scalable, reliable Ethernet aggregation platforms that support new and established business services, as well as fixed and mobile broadband services, will achieve true differentiation in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”
Based on Ciena’s field-proven, carrier-class multiservice switching technology, the CN 5060 is the first offering in the 5000 Packet Services Series, which is also a component of Ciena’s recently-announced FlexSelect for Ethernet solution. The platform provides unparalleled reliability with up to six-nines (99.9999 percent) availability to improve customer satisfaction and maintain voice-grade performance in packet networks. With industry-leading pseudowire densities, Ciena’s CN 5060 facilitates the convergence of new Ethernet services and provides seamless support and management of existing data service requirements across Carrier Ethernet networks. Other key features include:
- Granular scalability – supports up to 384,000 pseudowires per shelf, and flexible 60 Gbps switching capacity scalable in 2.5 Gbps and/or 10 Gbps increments within a single platform. Also supports up to 576 GbE or 96 10GbE ports per rack.
- Connection-oriented performance – Ciena’s ON-Center® Network and Service Management Suite along with IETF pseudowires and engineered Ethernet transport tunnels ensure robust, standards-based operations, administration and maintenance for rapid provisioning, monitoring and troubleshooting in an end-to-end Carrier Ethernet network.
- Multiservice interworking – includes full support of IETF PWE3 pseudowires, advanced Ethernet interworking, MEF Carrier Ethernet services and TDMoP, including CESoP and SAToP.
“The CN 5060 leverages Ciena’s packet switching expertise and mature, feature-rich software already proven in Tier 1 carrier broadband access and wireless backhaul networks that have the most demanding requirements for scalability, reliability and performance,” said Steve Alexander, chief technology officer at Ciena. “More importantly, as a high-density, small footprint pseudowire gateway between the access/metro network and the IP/MPLS backbone, the CN 5060 enables deterministic, connection-oriented Ethernet aggregation as part of Ciena’s broader FlexSelect for Ethernet solution.”
The CN 5060 is currently in trials with service providers, and will be generally available in the first half of calendar 2007. Additional product information about Ciena’s CN 5060 Multiservice Carrier Ethernet Platform can be found on Ciena’s website at www.ciena.com/cn5060.
About Ciena
Ciena Corporation is the network specialist, focused on expanding the possibilities for its customers’ networks while reducing their cost of ownership. The company’s systems, software and services target and cure specific network pain points so that telcos, cable operators, governments and enterprises can best exploit the new applications that are driving their businesses forward. For more information, visit www.ciena.com.
Note to Investors
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof; and Ciena's actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied, due to risks and uncertainties associated with its business, which include the risk factors disclosed in its Report on Form 10-K, which Ciena filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 10, 2007. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding Ciena's expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future and can be identified by forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should," "will," and "would" or similar words. Ciena assumes no obligation to update the information included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
