Brix Networks Announces Interoperability with ADVA Optical Networking's Etherjack Demarcation Devices for Carrier Ethernet Deplo

  
    
  
  
    
      Brix Networks, a global provider of open and extensible converged 
      service assurance solutions, and ADVA Optical Networking (FSE: ADV) 
      today announced they have successfully completed interoperability 
      between Brix Networks’ BrixNGN™ 
      Carrier Ethernet service assurance technology and ADVA Optical Networking’s 
      Etherjack® demarcation technology that enables 
      providers of mobile backhaul services to verify their quality of service 
      (QoS).
    
    
      The Brix-ADVA Optical Networking combination provides network operators 
      with a highly scalable and efficient way to continuously collect, 
      correlate, analyze, and visualize critical QoS and quality of experience 
      (QoE) data from Carrier Ethernet environments for capacity planning and 
      service turn-up verification, 24x7 continuous service monitoring, and 
      on-demand troubleshooting to identify, diagnose, and quickly resolve 
      network and service issues before customers are impacted — 
      thereby guaranteeing performance and quality.
    
    
      “We are living in an increasingly connected 
      and competitive world. To fully support this reality, wireless service 
      providers are feeling the heat to quickly expand their network backhaul 
      capacity by deploying Ethernet. Throwing more T1 circuits at the problem 
      is no longer cost effective,” said Michael 
      Howard, principal analyst at Infonetics Research. “Exploding 
      high-speed data traffic to-and-from mobile devices is causing 
      bottlenecks across the wireless network, and more traffic means more 
      compromised quality of service unless the right technology is in place. 
      To drive higher ARPU and lower churn, wireless carriers will need 
      solutions that can handle today’s video 
      streams, but still deliver the highest quality of service possible.”
    
    
      In a related matter, the companies also announced that Brix has joined 
      ADVA Optical Networking’s Etherjack Alliance 
      Program, which includes leading industry suppliers in a variety of 
      technology areas that all work with ADVA Optical Networking to simplify 
      and speed the deployment of intelligent Ethernet services that can be 
      remotely provisioned, monitored, and tested.
    
    
      “To effectively guarantee end-to-end service 
      level agreements and meet customers' requirements in mobile backhaul and 
      metro-Ethernet environments, providers must implement a service 
      assurance solution across their next-generation networks with visibility 
      throughout their Layer 2 services,” noted 
      Charlie Baker, director, product management, at Brix Networks. “Without 
      this necessary visibility, providers are at risk for crippling service 
      degradations and outages, which lead directly to escalations in customer 
      care costs, SLA violations, eroding profit margins, and increased 
      customer churn.”
    
    
      “The complementary nature of the ADVA 
      Etherjack edge-based devices and the core-based BrixNGN solution, 
      combined with the latest IEEE 802.1ag and ITU Y.1731 standards, takes 
      end-to-end SLA monitoring to a new level,” 
      said Fred Ellefson, vice president, global marketing, at ADVA Optical 
      Networking. “These new standards and the 
      interoperability they enable are a critical element for the rollout of 
      intelligent Ethernet services for mobile backhaul networks.”
    
    
      ADVA Optical Networking's Etherjack devices have been recognized as the 
      global market leader in Ethernet access devices (EADs). The company’s 
      products are being deployed into Tier 1 carrier networks around the 
      world, including BT’s 21st Century Network 
      (21CN).
    
    
      About ADVA Optical Networking
    
    
      ADVA Optical Networking (FSE: ADV) is at the forefront of providing 
      Optical+Ethernet solutions that advance next-generation networks for 
      data, storage, voice, and video services. The company’s 
      innovative Fiber Service Platform (FSP) and strong customer focus 
      provide carriers and enterprises the ability to scale their networks and 
      deliver intelligent, competitive new services. ADVA Optical Networking’s 
      solutions have been deployed at more than 200 carriers and 10,000 
      enterprises around the world. For further information about ADVA Optical 
      Networking : www.advaoptical.com.
    
    
      About Brix Networks
    
    
      Brix Networks is a global provider of open and extensible converged 
      service assurance solutions that allow the world’s 
      largest service providers and enterprises to offer reliable and 
      high-quality experiences in voice, video, data, and mobile services to 
      their customers, partners, and employees. The Chelmsford, Mass., 
      U.S.A.-based company brings a proven heritage of IP expertise unique to 
      the service assurance marketplace, and collaborates closely with its 
      customers and partners to assure the delivery of any IP-based service, 
      over any network, to any endpoint. For more information, visit www.brixnet.com, 
      or call 978-367-5600/1-888-BRIXNET.
    
    
      Pending Acquisition
    
    
      On April 2, 2008, EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. (NASDAQ: EXFO; 
      TSX: EXF) announced it had signed an agreement to acquire all the shares 
      of Brix Networks. This transaction is expected to close later this 
      quarter at which time Brix will be renamed EXFO Service Assurance Inc. 
      and be part of EXFO’s Telecom Division. The 
      acquisition has been approved by the board of directors of both 
      companies, but is subject to various closing conditions.
    
    
      Brix Networks, Brix, Brixnet, Service Quality Matters, BrixNGN, and the 
      Brix Networks logo are trademarks of Brix Networks, Inc.
    
    
      Etherjack is a registered trademark of ADVA Optical Networking.