Wilmington, Mass. - A new switch from start-up NetCore Systems, Inc. will help big IP users guarantee delivery and quality of service (QoS) to mission-critical IP applications.
NetCore recently introduced Everest, a 2.5 terabit/sec capacity box that combines high- speed IP router functions and ATM switching to send end-user traffic with QoS over ATM backbones.
For capacity comparison, Ascend Communications, Inc.'s GRF router tops out at 16G bit/sec, and Cisco Systems, Inc.'s 12000 tops out at 60G bit/sec.
Everest works by examining incoming IP packets and, using existing IP parameters such as addresses and port numbers, mapping the traffic onto an explicit ATM virtual connection.
The virtual connection may be chopped into a variety of service levels, from "best effort" to "premium effort," that provide guaranteed bandwidth and QoS delivery. Multiple IP streams can be aggregated onto one ATM pipe, saving WAN costs.
The ATM standards-compliant Everest switch lets administrators configure IP or ATM services on each of its ports. Everest will also be enhanced to support Resource Reservation Protocol and Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) in the future.
This type of device is critical to establishing IP virtual private networks because it could eliminate delays that VPNs can not tolerate over the current public IP Internet, said Tom Nolle, president of CIMI Corp., a technology assessment firm in Voorhees, N.J.
"[QoS] is a requirement of VPNs. You need devices that meld the flexibility of IP with the quality of service of ATM. VPNs are more than just a lighthearted Internet tunnel," Nolle said. He applauded NetCore's promised support of MPLS, which he said would be critical to insuring QoS.
Everest will go into beta this summer and is scheduled to ship in November. Based on price per port, Everest will cost $15,000 for OC-3, $40,000 for OC-12 and $90,000 for OC-48 interfaces.
NetCore: (978) 694-1555
RELATED LINKS
Contact Senior Editor Tim Greene
Everest overview
From NetCore.
Router start-up going for terabit speed
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A look at the start-ups that hope to bite into Cisco's market with gigabit and terabit routers. Network World, 12/29/97.
Really big routers
A new breed of monster routers is under development that can forward
packets at least 30 times faster than today's top-of-the-line devices. Network World, 3/17/97.
Ascend GRF overview
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Cisco 12000 info. Network World Fusion, 1/14/98.
Router nets face new challenges
Includes links to MPLS info. Network World Fusion, 10/27/97.
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