Press Release

Laurel Networks Introduces IP VPN Support on ST200 Service Edge Router

Delivers QoS-Enabled, Scalable MPLS IP VPN Support
with Fully Integrated Service Management and Accounting

Pittsburgh, PA - May 20, 2002 - Laurel Networks, Inc., the first provider of high-performance service edge routers, today announced MPLS IP VPN support for the ST200™ Service Edge Router based on RFC2547bis. The ST200 is currently deployed in production networks within the U.S. and Europe, with ST200 IP VPN software entering carrier trials in June.

The ST200 is the first MPLS IP VPN implementation with the high capacity and density, security and service management required by carriers to cost-effectively and rapidly provision, manage and bill for IP VPN services. Using the ST200, service providers can offer QoS-enabled IP VPNs to new customers and IP-enable existing ATM, Frame Relay or Ethernet customers.

"Despite the current economic downturn and the service providers' emphasis on controlling operating and capital expenditures, there is still a very strong strategic focus on growing data service revenue," said Curtis Price, program director of Data/Internet Growth Strategies, Stratecast Partners. "Network-based MPLS IP VPNs have become an attractive option for service providers seeking to support existing revenue generating services like Frame Relay and ATM over a common MPLS core network. Laurel's ST200 provides the intelligence at the network edge to support Layer 2 and Layer 3 services in a flexible and scalable manner."

Unmatched MPLS IP VPN Flexibility

The ST200 supports IP VPNs for intranet or extranet applications based on hub-and-spoke, full mesh or any arbitrary topologies, regardless of interface type or speed. Interfaces ranging from fractional T1/E1 to OC-48/STM-16 support a wide range of access networks on a single device. ST200 AnyService on AnyPort at AnySpeed allows software selection of ATM, Frame Relay, Ethernet and/or IP services on each interface or channel. This unmatched flexibility eliminates central office grooming equipment and the reconfiguration costs associated with moving IP VPN customers to different speeds or access technologies.

"For the first time, carriers can deploy a comprehensive VPN solution without compromise. Current network-based VPN services have been limited to low-speed access links due to lack of scale in VPN routers, complex service management and limited bandwidth in metro networks. The ST200 breaks through these barriers by providing VPN services on a scalable platform with built-in service management," said Steve Vogelsang, vice president of marketing and co-founder, Laurel Networks. "This combination of features allows carriers to offer VPN services over traditional leased lines, ATM or Frame Relay networks as well as new Ethernet metro networks."

Scalable, Secure IP VPN Support and Management

Capacity and Density: The ST200 supports an industry-leading 4 million VPN routes per system via a distributed architecture that ensures wire-speed performance, regardless of the number of routes enabled. This enables carriers to support large numbers of customers per device, critical to offering competitively priced VPNs while maintaining high margins.

QoS Support: MPLS IP VPNs provisioned using the ST200 include the same level of QoS as ATM and Frame Relay services, with wire-speed performance. Software-configurable per-customer queues meet SLAs while providing multiple distinct service classes for each customer. Per-customer traffic shaping delivers precisely the purchased bandwidth. Packet classification and filtering provide differentiated services based on packet markings, IP source/destination or application. Traffic policing and marking allow carriers to create burstable services with guaranteed bandwidth. Weighted random early detection (WRED) congestion management maximizes link utilization and ensures traffic delivery under congestion.

Security: ST200 IP VPN security features ensure the confidentiality of user traffic using secure tunnels and access control. Service management security is ensured through authentication using local password and account, local SSH public key, RADIUS server authentication and TACACS+ server authentication.

VPN Service Management: The Laurel Provisioning System™ (LPS) element manager was designed in concert with the ST200 and enables full-featured IP VPN provisioning, eliminating complexity, and reducing provisioning time and configuration errors. The distributed, object-oriented LPS architecture rapidly integrates the ST200 with carrier network equipment and existing OSS and billing applications.

SLA Management and Accounting: ST200 IP VPN support includes comprehens- ive fault management, data collection and resource utilization monitoring to assure IP VPN SLA guarantees are met. The ST200 uses a sophisticated, wire-speed counter matrix to collect VPN information on a per-customer and per-class basis as well as sophisticated routing policy to enable profitable new billing models. VPN statistics are then delivered to billing and SLA management applications, or viewed directly via the LPS.

Complete Suite of Provider Provisioned VPNs

Laurel's IP VPN implementation extends existing Layer 2 VPN support announced in September of 2001 to provide carriers with a complete suite of provider provisioned VPN services. Laurel's Layer 2 VPN support is based on IETF Draft Martini and enables carriers to offer ATM, Frame Relay and Ethernet Private Line services. With the addition of IP VPNs, the ST200 now offers the most complete array of packet services including Internet access, transit, peering, ATM, Frame Relay and Ethernet Layer 2 VPN and IP VPNs on a common platform.

About the ST200 Service Edge Router

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 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, visit www.laurelnetworks.com.