Cascade maneuvers for IP market

Cascade will add Internet routing to its carrier-class switches-a move that imposes on both traditional router companies and new Internet protocol switch vendors. IP Navigator software integrated into Cascade's switches pre-establishes IP routing paths through the network.

That means the switches will now perform the addressing function. Before the solution, core routers stationed next to the switches had performed address lookups from edge router to edge router.

"This is definitely a Trojan horse move," said Paul Callahan, analyst at Forrester Research, Cambridge, Mass. "They're trying to put a ceiling on the further purchase of Cisco routers [by adding IP routing to their switches]. It's a strong move.

Other manufacturers such as Ipsilon and Cisco Systems also offer or have announced products to perform IP switching. However, Cascade is the only company so far to include both IP switching, Ipsilon's method, and tag switching, Cisco's method. Cascade said it will also include other IP routing/switching protocols such as multiprotocol over asynchronous transfer mode.

"That way, Cisco can't complain when Cascade starts hurting their revenue," Callahan said.

One of IP Navigator's main features is carriers' ability to offer a quality-of-service guarantee, said Lori Dreher, Cascade product marketing manager for IP.

IP switching currently gives all users equal weight with connectionless service. With IP Navigator, the paths are predetermined through the switches-creating a kind of permanent virtual path for quality of service, Dreher said. The software can handle up to 250,000 IP routes. Beta testing will begin at the end of this month, with commercial availability slated in the first half of 1997.

Agreement offers carriers high-bandwidth support Ascend Communications and Alcatel plan to integrate Ascend's line of Internet access and remote networking products into Alcatel's asynchronous transfer mode and asymmetrical digital subscriber line products. The Ascend products include the MAX WAN access switches, GRF Internet protocol switches and Pipeline remote access routers. Carrier uses platform to extend Internet service WorldCom plans to use Premisys Communications' IMACS platform to offer dedicated Internet service to customers who now only have dial-up access. The new dedicated service, which will be integrated with WorldCom's long-distance service, will give customers a direct link to the Internet and allow the company to concentrate more traffic onto its network. Alcatel wins IXC's local networks contract Sprint has chosen Alcatel as a vendor for Sonet transmission equipment in building local networks. Sprint will use Alcatel's 1648 and 1603/12 Sonet multiplexers in the three-year deal. CANADIAN CARRIERS CHOOSE ASCEND Telcos BC Tel Advanced Communications in British Columbia and Telus Planet of Alberta cut deals with Ascend Communications to use its equipment for analog and ISDN dial-up access. Both carriers plan to use the MAX WAN access switch, replacing separate analog access lines, modem racks, routers and terminal servers.