MIDDLEBURY, Conn. -- Ahead Communications Systems, Inc. today announced its next generation Packet Cell Switch (PCx), a multiservice WAN platform with exceptional traffic management capabilities. Designed to meet the rising demand for wide area Ethernet services and support of expanding application of VoIP, packet video, as well as a full range of native services (TDM, Frame Relay, ATM), the PCx will enable standards compliant, hybrid technology switching across an Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) or ATM wide area network (WAN).

The PCx provides:

--Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) compliant E-LAN and Ethernet Private Line (E-Line) services

--High speed network support for Gigabit Ethernet and OCx trunking

--Flow sensitive Quality of Service for prioritizing time dependent applications

--Support for Ethernet over MPLS using Pseudowires

--Five (5) Gbps switching capacity per PCx up to 51 Gbps per shelf

--ATM or MPLS transport in support of layer 2 and layer 3 application solutions

--Flexible dual-control plane supporting PNNI and OSPF-TE

--Ease of operation with ProSphere, a comprehensive network management suite

A key cost benefit of the PCx is its support for native layer 2 services as well as emerging Ethernet and packet based applications allowing operators to evolve their network infrastructure based on business mission objectives.

"The PCx delivers many cost benefits to customers," commented Anton Kaeslin, President and CEO of Ahead Communications Systems. "Customers can evolve and enhance their networks knowing that applications such as VoIP run reliably, unaffected by delay and congestion in the WAN."

The PCx can be installed in any of the existing Xedge6000 shelves, providing aggregation and switching, or in scaleable PCx switch family options, at remote locations. The PCx supports the wealth of interfaces available common to the Xedge6000 product family.

Private network operators can lower the risk of managing converged packet services by deciding on the PCx to guarantee application performance regardless of the transport technology by applying appropriate traffic management policies. Organizations can maximize the return on investment in the PCx by lowering operational expenditures for bandwidth resources, by extending application reach for workgroups and customers across geographically distributed networks or by leveraging easy to use QoS implementations to benefit the enterprise.

Each PCx is capable of acting on priorities, classifying flows by examining the packet header, providing active queue management, and associating these flows with constrained explicit routes (Pseudowires over MPLS tunnels) set up with policies derived and planned through an easy to use management application called QFlow. QFlow helps to reduce the operations burden associated with the management of evolving multi-service WANs.

Targeted for private network operators responsible for mission critical converged network applications or service providers interested in diverse service revenue generation, the PCx has a price performance ratio that is hard to match in the industry.

About Ahead Communications Systems

Ahead Communications Systems, Inc. USA (ACU) is a worldwide leader and pioneer in the design, manufacture and support of "hybrid" multiservice switches. ACU provides solutions for network operators in transportation, utilities, education, and government as well as revenue generating platforms for Independent service providers and international carriers. By integrating TDM, Frame Relay, ATM, and emerging Ethernet services over an MPLS or ATM WAN, Ahead simplifies the commissioning of cost saving solutions. For more information visit: www.aheadcomusa.com