Alcatel debuts cost-effective WAN router family with wire-rate performance and comprehensive security features for improved user experience

Paris, December 12, 2005 - Furthering its commitment to providing a comprehensive range of cost-effective IP networking solutions, Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA AND NYSE: ALA) today announced a new family of wide area network (WAN) routers that offer exceptional performance, comprehensive security and other value-added features at a significantly lower price compared to existing solutions available on the market.

Alcatel’s new OmniAccess WAN products ensure that users across multiple locations have high-speed and secure access to IT and communications resources from anywhere within the organization, which is critical in today’s application-rich, multimedia environments.

The new T1/E1 WAN routers include the one-port Alcatel OmniAccess 601 and the two-port Alcatel OmniAccess 602 for branch office networks, and the four-port Alcatel OmniAccess 604 for large branch offices or network aggregation. Also available is the Alcatel OmniAccess 625 chassis solution for larger aggregation requirements, which can be configured for up to 16 T1/E1 ports or two T3/E3 ports.

The Alcatel OmniAccess WAN products provide full wire-speed performance under heavy loads, even with multiple services enabled. All multi-port versions of the OmniAccess WAN family have the ability to bond multiple T1/E1s or multiple T3/E3s into a single logical circuit to provide aggregated bandwidth of up to 24 or 90 Mbps, respectively. This considerably improves bandwidth availability and provides end-users in branch offices with a faster and more secure experience when accessing applications – from any location.

Additionally, the Alcatel OmniAccess 600 routers provide an ideal solution for server-based IP telephony deployments, such as those based on Alcatel’s OmniPCX Enterprise platform with Alcatel IP Touch phones.

“There’s a dramatic increase in market demand for higher speed WAN deployments that provide secure access to applications,” said Tom Burns, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Alcatel’s enterprise network infrastructure activities. “Our new OmniAccess WAN solutions address this demand and are generating great customer interest due to its low cost, exceptional performance, and broad feature set.”

“As an Alcatel data networking reseller, we use what we sell to customers so that we can show them first-hand how the equipment will function in their network,” said Angie Witham, president and CEO of Dugdale Communications. “Alcatel’s OmniAccess 600 WAN products are an attractive addition to Alcatel’s voice and data products since they address edge security concerns, are priced to fit well into most budgets, and include numerous routing and security services as standard features.”
The OmniAccess WAN routers support both switching and routing, including support for all major, standards-based IP routing protocols. They also support advanced technologies including fast-path forwarding engine, quality of service (QoS) for voice and video traffic, and unique “virtual Ethernet” technology that allows users to work together on a network composed of multiple buildings, which can be located miles apart from each other.

Virtual private networks (VPNs) can be set up between branch offices or corporate headquarters to encrypt data streams, and can also be extended to telecommuters who connect to the corporate network via the Internet. Other security services delivered include stateful inspection firewall, SSH, TACACS, authentication, host integrity checking, DOS defenses, NAT and extensive ACL support. Alcatel’s OmniAccess WAN routers also include two built-in 10/100 ports for connecting to the local network, DSX-1 for multiplexing voice and data traffic on the uplink, and a built-in CSU/DSU for LAN/WAN communications.

All OmniAccess WAN products are available today from Alcatel resellers.

About Alcatel
Alcatel provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers or employees. Alcatel brings its leading position in fixed and mobile broadband networks; applications and services, to help its partners and customers build a user-centric broadband world. With sales of EURO 12.3 billion and 56,000 employees in 2004, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.

Contact Information

Mark Burnworth

Alcatel

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