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Lambda OpticalSystems Introduces LambdaNode™ 200 Optical Switching System; GMPLS Control Plane Provisions Optical Networks Fast and Reliably

All-optical switch targets network service providers, government, and research & education networks; switch is in trials at StarLight facility at UIC

CHICAGO, IL, SUPERCOMM, JUNE 7, 2005 – Lambda OpticalSystems, the leading provider of all-optical switching solutions, today introduced the LambdaNode™ 200 Optical Switching System for service providers, government, and research & education networks. The latest entry in the LambdaNode family of all-optical switches, the LambdaNode 200 switch comes complete with an industry-standard GMPLS control plane, providing network operators with the ability to dynamically configure optical networks.

“Lambda OpticalSystems is pleased to provide the highly reliable LambdaNode 200 Optical Switching System for use in networks of all sizes,” said Irfan Ali, president and chief executive officer, Lambda OpticalSystems. “With its GMPLS-based control plane, the LambdaNode 200 switch provides high bandwidth and increased capacity for cutting-edge, service provider, government, research and other specialized network applications.”

The LambdaNode 200 Optical Switching System is designed to serve the unique needs of metro, access and campus networks and of emerging service providers such as utility and municipal broadband access networks. It provides many of the benefits and features of the LambdaNode 2000 Intelligent Integrated Optical Switch through an all-optical solution and seamless integration with the network operator’s current access, transport, switching and WDM platforms at an economically attractive price. It also makes available the same dynamic wavelength switching performance as the LambdaNode 2000 switch, sharing a common GUI and industry-standard GMPLS implementation. The LambdaNode 200 Optical Switching System is supported by the LambdaCreate™ Software suite for provisioning, fault management, inventory, and topology control.

The LambdaNode 200 switch is installed for trial as part of StarLight, a 1GigE and 10GigE switch/router international and national facility for next-generation, high-performance optical networks, and a true optical switching facility for wavelengths.

“The Lambda 200 Optical Switching System will be used provide dynamic wavelength services to support data-intensive applications, such as remote visualization, ultra-high definition digital media and grid networking, that require a low-latency and deterministic optical network,” said Joe Mambretti, Director, Northwestern University’s International Center for Advanced Internet Research (iCAIR). “Through its GMPLS control plane, applications will interface directly with the switching systems to provide and dynamically reconfigure high performance lightpaths.”

Dr. Tom DeFanti, Director, Electronic Visualization Laboratory (EVL) at the University of Illinois at Chicago said, “StarLight is a true optical switching facility for lambdas, and we are seeking to advance the network with products such as the LambdaNode 200 Optical Switching System.” For more information about StarLight, visit http://www.startap.net/starlight/ABOUT/

The LambdaNode 200 switch adds dynamic switching to optical transport networks more cost effectively than using a conventional optical cross connect. Engineered for extremely high-performance networks, the switch is small enough to fit in a telecom closet and is ideal for network applications of all sizes. It adds linear and mesh protection to optical transport networks. Network operators can take advantage of the all-optical switch’s many features, including:

• Creation of demand-driven, remotely-configurable and reconfigurable, agile optical networks
• Seamless inter-exchange point for enterprise, access, metro, regional and long-haul optical networks
• Full range of protection and restoration options
• Large data streams processed at light speed without degradation
• Transparent to signal bit rate and format
• Installation at the customer location or in carrier networks

Pricing and availability

The LambdaNode 200 Optical Switching System will be available in the third quarter of 2005. For pricing information, contact Lambda OpticalSystems at 703-689-9500 X1005.

To view demonstrations of both the LambdaNode 200 Optical Switching System and the LambdaNode 2000 Intelligent Integrated Optical Switch, please visit the Lambda OpticalSystems Booth #88030 at Supercomm.

About Lambda OpticalSystems

Lambda OpticalSystems is committed to the development of next-generation all-optical solutions to transform transport networks. The company’s family of all-optical switches with integrated DWDM and GMPLS control plane lets network service provider, government agency, research and education, and enterprise network operators deliver high-bandwidth services while maximizing network management, performance, efficiency and affordability. For more information, call 703-689-9500, ext.1006, or visit www.lambdaopticalsystems.com.

About StarLight, iCAIR, and EVL

StarLight is an advanced optical infrastructure, international exchange, and proving ground for network services optimized for high-performance applications, including global e-Science. Operational since summer 2001, StarLight has 1GE and 10GE switch/router facilities and true optical switching for wavelengths. StarLight is being developed by the Electronic Visualization Laboratory (EVL) at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), the International Center for Advanced Internet Research (iCAIR) at Northwestern University, and the Mathematics and Computer Science Division at Argonne National Laboratory, in partnership with Canada’s CANARIE and the Netherlands’ SURFnet. STAR TAP and StarLight are service marks of the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois See www.startap.net/starlight.

Northwestern University’s International Center for Advanced Internet Research (iCAIR, www.icair.org) accelerates leading-edge innovation and enhanced global communications through advanced digital communication technologies, in partnership with the international community, and national partners. Established in 1851, Northwestern is a leading private research and teaching institution with 17,700 undergraduate, graduate and professional students enrolled in 12 schools and colleges. Located on two lakefront campuses in Evanston and Chicago, it is considered one of the top ranked institutions for effective use of technology. For more information about Northwestern University, visit its web site at http://www.northwestern.edu.

The Electronic Visualization Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Chicago is the nation’s oldest interdisciplinary art and computer science graduate laboratory offering degrees in electronic visualization. Since inventing the CAVE(R) Virtual Reality Theater in 1991, EVL’s focus has been the development and deployment of software, hardware, networking and communications tools in support of collaborative tele-immersive virtual-reality applications. EVL receives significant funding from the National Science Foundation to manage projects in support of long-term interconnection and interoperability of advanced international networking. See http://www.evl.uic.edu for more information.

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