XO Communications Accelerates IP/Ethernet Network Convergence With Cisco IP NGN Architecture

SAN JOSE, CA--(Marketwire - February 20, 2008) - Cisco® (NASDAQ: CSCO) today announced that XO Communications, a leading provider of 21st century communications for businesses and communications service providers, has accelerated its deployment of Ethernet-enabled IP services based on the Cisco IP Next-Generation Network architecture. This expansion features deployment of new Cisco Ethernet over SONET/SDH (EoS) technology on many of the more than 4,000 Cisco ONS 15454 Multi-service Provisioning Platforms (MSPPs) currently deployed in its network.

Integration of Cisco Multilayer Ethernet over SONET technology has increased scalability and throughput for a number of XO services, including Metro Ethernet for Dedicated Internet Access (DIA), layer-1 private line (point-to-point) services, VoIP and IP-VPN.

"XO has built an IP Next Generation Network to enable our customers to run IP applications such as video and Web 2.0 collaboration tools that demand increased bandwidth," said Randy Nicklas, chief technology officer of XO Communications. "Cisco's ONS 15454 based solutions have helped us perform a smooth and wider deployment of Ethernet-enabled IP services. Our network has evolved along side the Cisco Carrier Ethernet portfolio, with XO among the first to deploy Cisco MSPP-based solutions. Cisco has evolved with our needs and we are eager to continue our work together in this area."

As part of this transition, XO Communications is evaluating two innovations to streamline its network transformation while taking advantage of its existing Cisco ONS 15454 platforms. They are:

--  Cisco Multilayer, Multi-rate, 10-Port Line Card, with 10 Gbps Ethernet
    over SONET/SDH (EoS) capacity (ML-MR-10) enabling a wide range of Ethernet
    services with Layer 2 switching, RPR, and advanced QoS capabilities. Cisco
    ML-MR-10 cards can be used for any Ethernet service type by changing the
    SFP module plugged into the Ethernet port. For more information, see:
    http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/optical/ps2006/products_data_sheet09186a00801136f8.html
        
--  Cisco Carrier Ethernet, Multi-rate, 10-Port Line Card, with 10 Gbps
    Ethernet over SONET/SDH (EoS) capacity (CE-MR-10), a next-generation
    version of the Carrier Ethernet blade for the 15454, enabling private line
    Ethernet services. For more information, see:
    http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/optical/ps2006/products_data_sheet0900aecd806ea262.html    
    

Both of these platforms quadruple the capacity of previous cards in the same line from 2.5 Gpbs to 10 Gbps on a single blade, while still supporting a wide range of protocols. They also provide 10-client ports, each of which is soft form factor pluggable (SFP) which offers investment protection and an easy migration path for customers moving to higher speed connections in the future.

XO Communications offers a broad range of IP-based services, including Metro Ethernet for Dedicated Internet Access (DIA), private line (point-to-point) services, VoIP, IP Telephony and IP-VPN, which are available in 75 U.S. metropolitan markets. The XO network has a large SONET infrastructure and associated services, making Cisco Ethernet over SONET/SDH (EoS) technology well-suited to scaling its growing packet-based service offerings, increasing bandwidth, and providing a smooth and cost-effective network transformation path.

"We are very pleased to be working closely with XO to Ethernet-enable its IP services, a shift that will allow more services to be deployed more quickly to meet increasing customer needs," said Surya Panditi, vice president and general manager of optical technology at Cisco. "This transformation will allow XO's customers to maintain focus on their core businesses, making it easier for them to get the network resources they need, when they need them, with minimal deployment and configuration overhead."

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