Aviat Networks Launches Next-Generation Carrier Ethernet Switch Module for Eclipse Packet Node

Aviat Networks, Inc., a leading wireless expert in advanced IP migration solutions, today announced the release of its DAC GE3 module and confirmed delivery of first shipments to multiple leading mobile network operators and other early access customers. The DAC GE3 provides the most advanced Carrier Ethernet switch subsystem available in a microwave backhaul platform today. Featuring higher capacity and an impressive breadth of new capabilities, this third-generation design sets a new benchmark for resilient wireless access and aggregation networks.

·          To ensure and protect the QoS of real-time traffic while guaranteeing adequate bandwidth for best effort traffic, a fully configurable Strict Priority (SP) and Deficit Weighted Round Robin (DWRR) hybrid scheduler with eight hardware transmission queues is employed. Prioritization of traffic can be enabled at the physical, data link, MPLS, or IP network layer, and a proprietary dynamic shaping algorithm instantly adapts the switch to the bandwidth variations of Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM) microwave links.

·          With multiple synchronization schemes for IP networks on the market, the DAC GE3 card has been tested along with equipment from other vendors at the European Advanced Testing Center and Carrier Ethernet World Congress in 2010. In these tests, the viability of Synchronous Ethernet and IP microwave technologies were determined together for their suitability in 4G/LTE backhaul applications. The DAC GE3 is designed to support synchronization through multiple input methods, Stratum 3 level holdover, and propagation of the signal via the Eclipse Distributed Sync™ feature.

·          Carrier grade packet buffers and an extended number of ports and transport channels provide the ability to act as a traffic concentrator for purposes of aggregation, and offer superior performance in handling the transport of excessively bursty traffic.

·          Support for bi-directional 1+1 protection switching provides high availability and service continuity for mission-critical applications with no single point of failure present in the system.

·          Additional Carrier Ethernet features including an integrated Service OAM MEP (Operation, Administration & Maintenance End Point), Link Aggregation (LAG), and ring protection mechanisms are scheduled to be released in early 2011 via software upgrade.

"Initial customer interest in the DAC GE3 has far exceeded our expectations," said Shaun McFall, senior vice-president and chief marketing officer of Aviat Networks. "It has been extremely well received by customers who have evaluated it, including tier-1 national carriers."

As a plug-in module to the Eclipse Packet Node modular indoor unit, the DAC GE3 builds on Aviat Networks' field-proven experience and leadership in delivering versatile and scalable Hybrid and all-Packet microwave backhaul solutions since the introduction of the Eclipse nodal wireless system in 2004. It provides a seamless upgrade for operators around the world who have already deployed Eclipse, and a high-performance solution for the eventual migration to an all-IP 4G/LTE (Long Term Evolution) network infrastructure.

HP powers SMS-enabled drugs authentication

HP has inked a deal with mPedigree, which offers a text message based service that helps users check the authenticity of their medications. The technology has been piloted in Ghana and Nigeria. With hosting and security provided by HP, mPedigree will offer the service to patients taking a range of medications manufactured by May & Baker Nigeria and KAMA Group of Ghana. 

Users can send a free text message to get an instant response as to whether the tablets or syrup bottles are genuine. Medications found to display fake codes can be reported by users, too. The pharma companies participating in the service are also funding it. The medications involved include anti-malarial (artelum), anti-amoebicide (loxagyl) and analgesic (easadol) medication. (For more on the service, check out the documentary video embedded at the bottom of this post.)

“Over the years, we have invested a huge amount of time and money in developing drugs which will protect the health of people around the world,” said Dr. Joseph Ikemefuna Odumodu, chief executive, May & Baker Nigeria, and president, West African Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association. “It’s in both our and our customers’ interest that they receive the full benefit of that investment. This system will safeguard both of us now and in the future.”

The mobile operators in Ghana and Nigeria are also partnering with mPedigree and HP to facilitate the service.

“Technology plays a critical role in solving many serious health problems around the world,” said Gabriele Zedlmayer, vice president, Office of Global Social Innovation, HP. “While Nigeria and Ghana are the starting points for this program, we are working to create a scalable infrastructure to be used by other regions where counterfeit medicine is a growing issue.”

While the HP deal brought a lot of attention to the mPedigree deployment in Ghana and Nigeria, Kenya’s government also recently announced its support for mPedigree in that country.

Penguin Announces CES Launch Of New Eagle-Eye Converter Version 2.0 For Xbox® 360

Following the tremendous success of the Eagle-Eye Converter for Sony PS3, Penguin United has announced that it will launch the Eagle-Eye Version 2.0  for Xbox 360 video games at CES. The Eagle-Eye converts any standard USB HID keyboard and mouse into a turbo charged video game controller, the preferred method for fans of first-person shooters (The Eagle-Eye is compatible with most USB, however it does not always work with non-HID USB).

The Eagle-Eye Version 2.0 will be launched and available for demonstration at CES, Las Vegas, January 6-9, Booth #5412North Hall.

The Eagle-Eye Version 2.0 provides a customized key mapping feature for all Xbox 360 controller buttons that seamlessly transfers the command data to a keyboard and mouse. Now all first-person shooter games like Call of Duty: Black Ops and Medal of Honor can be played with greater dexterity, speed and accuracy than with a standard controller.

The Eagle-Eye Version 2.0 has been updated with an Advanced Calibration Function that provides customized mouse speed, smoothness and synchronization. There are 3 components of the Advanced Calibration Function worth noting: Sensitivity Adjustment which manages the overall speed of the mouse movement; Dead Zone Neutralization that improves the smoothness of the mouse’s movements, particularly during moments requiring micro-movements such as zooming in on a target; and Synchronization that allows downloading and backup of new customized X/Y button settings which can be shared with friends or a gaming community.

“The original Eagle-Eye was such a great success with PS3 fans that we wanted to create a new version for the Xbox community,” stated Penguin President, Richard Huang. “The Advanced Calibration Function takes the Eagle Eye to a new level of control and sensitivity. Version 2.0 provides the same outstanding ability to bypass the controller by transferring the button features directly to the computer keyboard and mouse, but now the speed, smoothness and accuracy is even more impressive.”

Product Highlights:

·        Converts most standard USB HID Keyboard and Mouse into a Xbox Controller

·        Advanced Calibration Function improves speed, smoothness and synchronization

·        1 to 1 translation from the Xbox360 right analog stick to the mouse movement for an ultra accurate aim in FPS.

·        Maps out all Xbox360 buttons and left analog stick via included software to customize your control.  Right analog stick defaults to mouse movement.

·        Compatible with all Xbox360 games.

·        USB 2.0 Keyboard and Mouse inputs.

·        13 ft. USB cable connects to Xbox.

·        Turbo option for Y, B, A, RB, RT, LB, LT buttons

·        Programmable Macro Functions to turn any single key into a combination of moves.

·        Compatible with all Xbox console versions, future proof with firmware updates.

·        Quick, easy set up in less than 1 minute with included software

·        Requires wired Xbox controller

·        SRP: $59.99

·        On Display at CES Booth #5412 North Hall

Penguin Announces CES Launch Of New Eagle-Eye Converter Version 2.0 For Xbox® 360

Following the tremendous success of the Eagle-Eye Converter for Sony PS3, Penguin United has announced that it will launch the Eagle-Eye Version 2.0  for Xbox 360 video games at CES. The Eagle-Eye converts any standard USB HID keyboard and mouse into a turbo charged video game controller, the preferred method for fans of first-person shooters (The Eagle-Eye is compatible with most USB, however it does not always work with non-HID USB).

The Eagle-Eye Version 2.0 will be launched and available for demonstration at CES, Las Vegas, January 6-9, Booth #5412North Hall.

The Eagle-Eye Version 2.0 provides a customized key mapping feature for all Xbox 360 controller buttons that seamlessly transfers the command data to a keyboard and mouse. Now all first-person shooter games like Call of Duty: Black Ops and Medal of Honor can be played with greater dexterity, speed and accuracy than with a standard controller.

The Eagle-Eye Version 2.0 has been updated with an Advanced Calibration Function that provides customized mouse speed, smoothness and synchronization. There are 3 components of the Advanced Calibration Function worth noting: Sensitivity Adjustment which manages the overall speed of the mouse movement; Dead Zone Neutralization that improves the smoothness of the mouse’s movements, particularly during moments requiring micro-movements such as zooming in on a target; and Synchronization that allows downloading and backup of new customized X/Y button settings which can be shared with friends or a gaming community.

“The original Eagle-Eye was such a great success with PS3 fans that we wanted to create a new version for the Xbox community,” stated Penguin President, Richard Huang. “The Advanced Calibration Function takes the Eagle Eye to a new level of control and sensitivity. Version 2.0 provides the same outstanding ability to bypass the controller by transferring the button features directly to the computer keyboard and mouse, but now the speed, smoothness and accuracy is even more impressive.”

Product Highlights:

·        Converts most standard USB HID Keyboard and Mouse into a Xbox Controller

·        Advanced Calibration Function improves speed, smoothness and synchronization

·        1 to 1 translation from the Xbox360 right analog stick to the mouse movement for an ultra accurate aim in FPS.

·        Maps out all Xbox360 buttons and left analog stick via included software to customize your control.  Right analog stick defaults to mouse movement.

·        Compatible with all Xbox360 games.

·        USB 2.0 Keyboard and Mouse inputs.

·        13 ft. USB cable connects to Xbox.

·        Turbo option for Y, B, A, RB, RT, LB, LT buttons

·        Programmable Macro Functions to turn any single key into a combination of moves.

·        Compatible with all Xbox console versions, future proof with firmware updates.

·        Quick, easy set up in less than 1 minute with included software

·        Requires wired Xbox controller

·        SRP: $59.99

·        On Display at CES Booth #5412 North Hall

LG selects Samsung, Nokia-Siemens for LTE network…as Nokia Sacks 800

South Korean mobile carrier LG Uplus (032640.KS) has said that it has selected Samsung Electronics, LG-Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks as the equipment suppliers for its high-speed LTE networks to be rolled out starting July 2011. Global telecoms operators are betting on the prospects for Long-Term Evolution (LTE) technology on surging data traffic as consumers increasingly surf the Internet on smartphones.

LG Uplus, South Korea's No.3 mobile carrier and a smartphone laggard, seeks to aggressively deploy LTE networks to catch up with its bigger rivals SK Telecom (017670.KS) and KT (030200.KS) in the rapidly growing local smartphone market.

LG Uplus said it is the first local carrier to pick suppliers for LTE equipment. The carrier did not disclose the value of the deals with Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) and LG-Ericsson, a joint venture between LG Electronics (066570.KS), and Nokia Siemens Networks. The operator and top-ranked SK Telecom plan to begin LTE deployment next year, while second-placed KT eyes 2012 LTE rollout.

Also sad news out of Finland from a company statement sent to Reuters indicates that Nokia will be laying off somewhere around 800 employees at their Finnish home base. Affected employees will get the heads up sometime in the next few days, with the layoffs going into effect come January. On the upside, it looks like the severance packages will cover anywhere from 6 to 15 months at the affected employees previous salary rate; on the downside… well, they’re losing their job.

Dell to buy Compellent for $960 million...targets NetApp

Dell Inc plans to buy data storage company Compellent Technologies Inc for about $960 million, in a bid to shake its reliance on hardware, but it may need to do more to compete in new technologies like cloud computing. Dell and rivals like Hewlett-Packard Co are all trying to invest in corporate business technologies including storage and services, as PC sales are hurt by low margins and competition from new devices like Apple Inc's iPad.

The deal for Compellent comes three months after Dell lost to HP in a bidding war for another storage firm, 3PAR, and as large vendors are looking to buy small firms and become "one-stop shops" for business technology.

Dell and Compellent said last week they were negotiating a deal. Dell sweetened its cash offer to $27.75 a share from its bid last week of $27.50 per share. Net of Compellent's cash, Dell said it will pay $820 million. The offer is a 17 discount to the shares' level before the companies revealed last week that they were in talks. Previously, the shares had risen 90 percent since late October when Reuters first reported a deal was under discussion. Analysts said the price seemed moderate. Dell's offer values Compellent at around five times sales, compared with multiples of over eight that HP offered for 3PAR and EMC Corp offered for Isilon.

"It looks like Dell got a really good deal relative to some of the recent storage acquisitions, although Compellent doesn't have such a high growth rate. I like it," said Robert W. Baird analyst Jayson Noland. Dell said on Monday the deal, expected to close in early 2011, should add to its adjusted earnings in fiscal-year 2012. Compellent shares were down 3 percent, or 87 cents, at $27.84 on the New York Stock Exchange, 9 cents above Dell's bid. Dell, HP, and International Business Machines have all been looking to broaden their offerings beyond computers.

Many corporate clients are looking for simpler ways to deal with their massive volumes of data, and want fewer vendors for all of their computing, networking and storage needs. Data storage plays a crucial role in cloud computing, the accessing of remote computing power and data over the Internet. Dell entered this market in 2008 with its purchase of EqualLogic. Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based Compellent specializes in storage and recovery of data for small and medium-sized businesses.

But analysts said Dell may need to do more. Its dependence on hardware is becoming an increasing concern on Wall Street. Goldman Sachs said in a report on Sunday that Dell and HP were particularly vulnerable to the growing popularity of tablet computers. He recommended a "sell" on Dell and HP while rating Apple a "buy."

Dell shares were down 2.7 percent at $13.52 on Monday afternoon, while HP shares were down 1.25 percent at $42.01. While some analysts said Dell managed to avoid paying a super-high premium, others said Compellent is too small to enable Dell to compete effectively against an HP-3PAR combination.

Kevin Hunt, an analyst at Hapoalim Securities, recommended a "buy" on Dell but said he did not think the deal adds much for Dell.

"Not a game-changer in our view," he said. The recent spate of storage deals has left few potential acquisition targets in the sector, however, although CommVault Systems Inc as well as privately held Pillar Data Systems and DataDirect Networks are also potential targets.

Some analysts and bankers say NetApp Inc could also be a target - but at a market capitalization of nearly $20 billion, it could be too big. Analysts said the latest move was sure to disrupt Dell's sales partnership with EMC. Dell, however, said it would continue selling EMC's storage products to customers who wanted them.

HTC is the "Technology Brand of the Year"

U.K. technology magazine T3 has awarded the coveted "Technology Brand of the Year" trophy to HTC. Three quarters of a million readers voted along with a panel of judges from the country's top media names and tech magazines. The Taiwan based handset maker has grown from a contract manufacturer building cell phones for others, to one of the top cell phone producing and marketing companies.

T3 Editor Luke Peters had a number of superlatives to throw at the company such as HTC showing a "solid handset performance" and its "determined yet humble brand personality". The company has snagged the magazine's "Smartphone of the Year" award the last two years with the HTC Hero last year followed by the HTC Desire in 2010. As an interesting note, last year's winning technology brand was Google's Android OS.

HTC's chief marketing officer John Wang responded to the awards by saying, "We are honored and humbled to be recognized as Technology Brand of the Year by T3, one of the UK’s most popular consumer technology and gadget magazines. This recognition is as much for our loyal customers as it is for HTC.  HTC’s innovation and design philosophy is centered on our customers and focused on creating a relevant, personal and unique experience for each of them, this is what Quietly Brilliant is about."