BUSINESS WIRE

September 3, 2002; McLean, Virginia

Isocore today announced the completion of new leading-edge code testing for Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) at its Internetworking Lab. The tests focused on demonstrating vendor interoperability of the IETF specification: draft-ietf-ppvpn-rfc2547bis, to implement BGP/MPLS-based Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and mechanisms such as Fast Reroute and Stand-by LSPs, which are key to carriers' development of next-generation Internet Protocol (IP) services.

The vendors that participated in BGP/MPLS-based VPNs were Cisco Systems (CSCO) with Cisco 12400 Series Internet Routers, CoSine Communications (COSN) with IPSX 3500, Redback Networks (RBAK) with SmartEdge 800, Ixia (XXIA) with 1600T, NetTest with InterWATCH 96000 and Spirent Communications (SPM) with AX4000. This round of testing successfully demonstrated the interoperability of different vendors' equipment in performing key functions which are critical for MPLS-based VPN deployment such as VPN route distribution between Provider Edge (PE) routers via BGP and PE routers' capability to provide isolation between multiple VPN Routing and Forwarding (VRF) tables and allow overlapping IP address space in different VPNs.

During this period of leading edge code testing, the core network deployed Fast Reroute capability in which Avici Systems (AVCI) and Cisco Systems (CSCO) participated with TSR/SSR and Cisco 12400 Series Internet Routers, respectively. In addition, Marconi (MONIY.OB) also as a core router tested P-router functionality in the BGP/MPLS-VPN network and LSP resiliency mechanism with Stand-by LSP feature on ASX4000 platform.

A number of practically useful scenarios deploying MPLS VPN applications and MPLS Fast Reroute will be presented at the third Public MPLS Interoperability Demonstration on October 30, 2002, following the MPLS 2002 International Conference (October 27-29) in Washington D.C. During the next meeting of sponsors of the Isocore Internetworking Lab, the service providers will review the results and present their own technical requirements for MPLS implementation to the Technical Advisory Committee. The recommendations and expectations will be incorporated into the test specifications for the next round of interoperability testing at Isocore, scheduled for the Spring of 2003.

The goal of Isocore's Internetworking Lab is to advance internetworking through validation and interoperability testing, and to promote development and deployment of new technologies. Isocore's Internetworking Lab is supported by WorldCom, France Telecom, Deutsche Telekom, Cable & Wireless, NTT, and Sprint as service providers; Avici Systems, Cisco Systems, Hyperchip, Marconi, Tellabs, Extreme Networks, Riverstone, Lucent, Redback, and CoSine Communications as networking equipment suppliers; and Ixia Communications, Spirent Communications, and NetTest as test equipment suppliers.

For more information about the Isocore's Internetworking Lab visit the web site at http://www.isocore.com.

Contact: Vincent Dean; (703) 556-4939 or vdean@isocore.com