News Release

New Capabilities of Cisco 6400 Universal Access Concentrator Enable Service Providers to Expand Revenue-Generating DSL Service Offerings

Delivers Industry-Leading Scalability for Cost-Effective,
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Mar 24, 1999

Delivers Industry-Leading Scalability for Cost-Effective, Mass-Market Deployments



SAN JOSE, Calif. -- March 24, 1999 -- Cisco Systems, Inc. today announced industry-breakthrough product capabilities of the Cisco 6400 Universal Access Concentrator that deliver premium-service revenue opportunities for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and wholesale providers deploying Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) services. Among the capabilities delivered through new product features are massive increases in product scalability to over 14,000 PPP subscriber connections, and up to 3,500 simultaneous connections to Virtual Private Network (VPN) domains, enabling the most cost-effective deployments of high-speed DSL services in the industry. The new offerings also include integrated software options for creating customized network portals, as well as integrated flexible accounting features - both enabling wholesale providers to offer a wide range of on-demand broadband services for increased profitability.

The Cisco 6400 universal access concentrator is a scalable service gateway that enables service providers to deliver a new generation of on-demand, high-speed and high-quality networking services. It can be deployed in service provider central offices, Points-of-Presence (POPs) or corporate data centers. The system enables the dynamic selection and delivery of dedicated broadband network services, such as high-speed Internet access, multipoint videoconferencing, streaming video, entertainment-driven traffic, and secure access to corporate networks (for both voice and data services).

"The new capabilities of the Cisco 6400 system further enhance Cisco's market-leading, end-to-end DSL architecture," said David Gudmundson, vice president and general manager of Cisco's DSL and Systems Software Business Unit. "There is a true expansion in demand for DSL services in the telecommunications industry. The scalability and service-enabling features on the Cisco 6400 platform allow service providers to increase revenue by taking full advantage of the demand through cost-effective, mass-market deployments."

Breakthrough Scalability for Mass Market Deployments and Connections to Multiple Services

The Cisco 6400 Universal Access Concentrator offers outstanding value to service providers by now delivering over 14,000 simultaneous PPP sessions through one system for both Ethernet and ATM subscribers. The Ethernet support (called PPPoE) allows service providers to reach a much broader customer base by leveraging end users' existing Ethernet hardware, such as embedded Ethernet cards, for service connections. The breakthrough scalability of the system helps service providers achieve low-cost per-user sessions and substantially increase revenue-generation by enabling mass-market deployments.

A scalable MultiDomain software package that supports secure IP services for up to 3,500 VPN domains through one system is available as a new option on the Cisco 6400 system. The high scalability of the software dramatically reduces ongoing provisioning and operating expenses and increases cost-effectiveness for DSL deployments from wholesale service providers.

Integrated Software to Create Value-Added Service Networks and Generate Revenue

Other new options on the Cisco 6400 universal access concentrator include integrated flexible accounting software that allows service providers to accurately track user sessions on a per-user, per-service basis, as well as an integrated WebSelection software package for creating customized network portals. The integrated WebSelection software allows service providers to create customized network portals (or services screens) using existing Web-based programs, and offer every subscriber, even individual family members, their own services portfolio. Because the software is Web-based, end users need no additional software other than their own Web browser, and service providers incur neither up-front costs for user software royalties, nor recurring costs for support. When coupled with the MultiDomain software package, the WebSelection software enables service providers to deliver end users secure, simultaneous connections to multiple domains for a wider range of services. With these capabilities to create customized, value-added service networks, ISPs can entice their customers to visit more frequently and stay on the network longer, generating valuable revenue for increased profits.

Pricing and Availability

The new features for the Cisco 6400 Universal Access Concentrator are available immediately. List pricing for an entry-level product configuration starts at $55,000.

Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet.

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