Cascade Communications and Verilink Announce Joint Development Relationship for SMDS Technology

Strategic Insights -

Cascade Communications Corp. and Verilink Corp. have announced a joint-development relationship for Switched Multimegabit Data Service (SMDS) technology, which will aid carrier interconnection of locally provided SMDS services and other high-speed data services. As part of the relationship, the companies will develop technology that supports and expands the utility of the SMDS Intercarrier Interface (ICI). The goal is to make it possible for Regional Bell Operating Companies, other local carriers, and Interexchange Carriers to interconnect their SMDS networks via multiple interfaces, allowing SMDS to be used more widely as a data transport.

Key Takeaways:

  • The joint development relationship between Cascade Communications and Verilink is focused on creating SMDS technology that will aid carrier interconnection of locally provided SMDS services and other high-speed data services.
  • The companies will develop technology that supports and expands the utility of the SMDS Intercarrier Interface (ICI) in the first half of 1995.
  • The products will make it possible for Regional Bell Operating Companies, other local carriers, and Interexchange Carriers to interconnect their SMDS networks via multiple interfaces.
  • SMDS is a connectionless, public packet-switched service that provides local area network features and performance across wide geographic areas.
  • The Cascade and Verilink products will ease deployment and interconnection of SMDS services by permitting interconnection of SMDS networks via the most commonly used interfaces.
  • The Intercarrier Interface (ICI) will provide local carriers with a standard mechanism for trunking SMDS traffic across an Interexchange Carrier's network.

Statistics:

  • The joint development relationship will be focused on developing technology that supports and expands the utility of the SMDS ICI in the first half of 1995.
  • The products jointly developed with Verilink will broaden the options available for building intercarrier networks.
  • 56 Kbps to 1.5 Mbps frame-based SMDS service deployment will be supported by the SMDS Access Server systems.
  • The SMDS DXI Switching Systems will be used for frame-based SMDS service network construction.
  • The Intercarrier Interface (ICI) will be deployed on Verilink's flagship product, the Access System 2000 (AS2000).

Sources:

  • Business Wire - January 10, 1995
  • Cascade Communications Corp. Website
  • Verilink Corp. Website
  • Daniel E. Smith, Cascade's president and chief executive officer
  • Leigh Belden, Verilink President and Chief Executive Officer