Cox adds ATM for data

Cox Communications announced plans to combat the skyrocketing demand for high-speed data services by using asynchronous transfer mode products from Fore Systems to link the headends within its major systems.

Cox will deploy Fore's ForeRunner ASX-1000 ATM switches, PowerHub 7000 local area network switches and ES-3810 and ES-3850 Ethernet switches in regions where it has committed to deliver high-speed Internet access and data networking services to businesses and the @Home Network cable modem service to residential users.

From the ATM backbone, the data will either be transferred to a cable modem pool for residential markets or mapped onto a Sonet backbone for business customers.

"The demand for data services has required us to put in some sort of high-speed backbone, and we believe that ATM is the most efficient way to do that," said Mark Davis, director of engineering and telephony technology for Cox.

Every major Cox system will be upgraded with an ATM backbone for data delivery, and the cable operator may also add ATM edge devices in some of its smaller systems, Davis said. Cox is also relying heavily on ATM in the networks it operates as a competitive access provider.