New Software for AccessLan's i-SLAMs

Integrated Layer-2 and 3 QoS and services promise to enable voice, differentiated Internet access, and enhanced IP services. Provides any-port to any-port connectivity between DSL, T1, and Ethernet ports.

by Wayne Kawamoto [July 31, 2000]

AccessLan Communications announced the delivery of its new software release, PacketLoop Release 3.0 for its PL-1000 line of stackable i-SLAMs. Based on AccessLan's Internet Scaling Architecture (ISA), the company says that the new software will enable differentiated internet access, application hosting and distributed content delivery services, in addition to VoDSL. Also, AccessLan claims that the software will deliver Layer-3 routing and IP aggregation services on the company's PL-1000 product-line, which are built for the multiple tenant unit (MTU), multiple dwelling unit (MDU) and hospitality markets.

The company says that its PacketLoop Release 3.0 will enable providers to build a flexible network topology with multiple trunk connections — Ethernet, multiple T1s as well as multiple SDSL up-links — simultaneously. The IP services architecture may also allow a provider to offer any port-to-any port connectivity between DSL, T1 and Ethernet ports, while preserving the QoS integrity for each session with AccessLan's Priority-Q software.

According to AccessLan, the PacketLoop Release 3.0 delivers the following feature set:

1. IP flow classification, prioritization and QoS assignment,
2. flexible IP service delivery including layer-2 forwarding and layer-3 routing,
3. flexible IP addressing schemes with DHCP and NAT,
4. any-port to any-port connectivity between DSL, T1 and Ethernet ports, and
5. flexible network connections — up to four DSL or four T1 links and/or Ethernet.

"AccessLan's sophisticated quality of service mechanisms allow ISPs to offer value-added services like Web hosting, distance learning and e-commerce," said Celeste Demilt, director of marketing for AccessLan. "By offering tenants premium broadband communication services and customized content for reasonable fees, ISPs make a smooth transition to application service providers (ASPs) generating significant incremental revenues and customer loyalty."

"With the launch of this software release, AccessLan has clearly established its leading position in the DSL industry with a consistent and integrated IP services feature set across the CO and MTU/MDU product-line with a common set of CPE routers and IADs," said Michael Howard, principal analyst and co-founder, Infonetics Research.

Pricing and Availability
PacketLoop Release 3.0 for PL-1000 stackable i-SLAM is currently in beta and will be available in 30 days. The release 3.0 software will be included in the hardware cost for new customers buying PL-1000 hardware. The software will be sold for $995 to those who already own i-SLAMs.

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