Optical networking start-up Tellium this week said it has shipped a second version of its network switch intended to compete with similar technology from the likes of Sycamore Networks, Ciena and Cisco Systems.
The Oceanport, N.J.-based company is among numerous networking start-ups creating new technology to take advantage of pent-up demand from network operators such as WorldCom and Williams Communications for higher-capacity equipment for their fiber-optic networks.
The market for new optical networking technology is expected to
grow from $8 billon in 2000 to $50 billion in 2004, according to Pioneer
Consulting.
Privately held Tellium has an existing $250 million equipment contract to supply technology to Extant, a network operator recently acquired by Dynegy. The new equipment is being tested by Extant, according to Harry Carr, Tellium's chief executive. Carr said to "stay tuned" for upcoming announcements of other customers.
The new switch, called the Aurora Optical Switch, offers a 16-fold increase in capacity over the company's previous model, according to the company. In other words, Tellium's latest technology can send larger amounts of data at once and at higher speeds of up to 1.28 terabits per second.
It also doubles the density of the equipment, meaning that more capacity is built into a smaller switch, which is helpful for space-constrained communications companies.
The new switch will compete with Ciena's CoreDirector switch, Sycamore's high-end 16000 switch, and Cisco's new wavelength routing device, culled from the acquisition of Monterey Networks. Others, such as Nortel Networks and Lucent Technologies, are developing similar equipment.
The company is developing another new switch called the Aurora Full Spectrum switch, scheduled to ship sometime next year, that combines optical technology with more pervasive electrical technology, allowing a network operator to choose between the two methods of transporting data. In general, electronics slow down data traffic flows, but add more sophisticated management techniques.
Tellium is thought to be another candidate for an upcoming initial public offering, particularly after the recent success of Corvis, another optical networking company. Corvis jumped 135 percent when it went public in July despite having recorded no revenue.
Carr declined to comment on any plans to go public.
Join the conversation
Comment replyThe posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. Click here to review our Terms of Use.
Web giant is spending $120 million to beef up its Mountain View, Calif., headquarters, according to filings with the city reviewed by the San Jose Mercury News.
The Samsung Galaxy mini 2 S6500 could make its debut at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona later this month, according to a leaked promotional image.
Tor's "obfsproxy" technology would make encrypted data look innocuous and let it dodge government censors. That could help citizens in Iran reach blocked sites as antigovernment protests reportedly loom.
MIT creates a simulation to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Spacewar. A relic of the early days of minicomputers, it was one of the first computer video games and set the stage for many others, including Asteroids.
George Lucas has just released his version of "Star Wars" in 3D, but c'mon--the guy believes Greedo shot first. Why not make your own Star Wars world? In the first installment of a Crave series, a crack team of crafters fight the power and turn paper bags into the Rebel Alliance's Admiral Ackbar. It's a sack!
Join the conversation