Press Release

Multiservice over MPLS Solution Enables Breakthrough New Services
Multiservice over MPLS gives service providers the technology needed to solve pressing business needs by enabling them to easily move traffic from capacity constrained ATM and Frame Relay networks onto their IP/MPLS backbones. In addition, Multiservice over MPLS enables new, revenue-generating services including Ethernet Private Line (which extends Ethernet over wide area networks) and Ethernet VPN services.

In a multi-vendor interoperability trial, Laurel's Multiservice over MPLS solution was compliant with the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Draft Martini working document co-authored by Laurel technical leaders. Draft Martini describes a scalable and cost-effective method for delivering Layer 2 traffic, such as ATM, Frame Relay and Ethernet Private Line, over an MPLS backbone.

"Laurel's Multiservice over MPLS implementation has shown compliance with the Draft Martini working document for Layer 2 transport and encapsulation. This kind of technology will enable Level 3 to offer lower-cost ATM, Frame Relay and Ethernet services utilizing our state-of-the-art MPLS core network," said Luca Martini, senior architect at Level 3 Communications. "The Laurel ST200 service edge router has successfully demonstrated interoperability across an IP/MPLS backbone including routers from Cisco Systems and Juniper Networks."

"In today's capital constrained environment, service providers must offer new services on a lower cost infrastructure without sacrificing current revenue streams," said Steve Vogelsang, vice president and co-founder of Laurel Networks. "Our Multiservice over MPLS technology demonstrates the ST200's ability to enable service providers to offer new, revenue-generating services such as Ethernet Private Line and Layer 2 VPNs without sacrificing existing ATM and Frame Relay service revenues."

About the ST200 Service Edge Router
Laurel's Multiservice over MPLS solution is one of many unique features implemented in the ST200 service edge router to enable breakthrough new services. Announced in June, the ST200 is custom designed for service edge routing, with a powerful combination of industry-leading density, high-speed routing and service-enabling features that add value to network bandwidth. Deployed at the edge of an IP/MPLS service provider backbone, the ST200 enables an infrastructure that supports high-value, scalable IP services, maximizing revenue and driving down the overall cost of bandwidth. The innovative ST200 system architecture is edge-optimized with all major routing and forwarding functions distributed throughout the system to meet the significant per-customer delivery and billing requirements of scalable edge services.

About Laurel Networks
Laurel Networks is the first provider of high-performance service edge routers designed and developed specifically for the edge of IP/MPLS networks. Laurel's flagship ST200 service edge router includes the combination of features required to deliver high-value IP services, including: high-capacity routing and switching; rich bandwidth management functionality; and high-density, multi-service ports. Laurel Networks was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information about Laurel, visit www.laurelnetworks.com.