Cisco Systems Inc has added what it terms ‘ATM capabilities’ to its routers and ATM asynchronous transfer mode switches to enable integrated voice, video and data traffic over high-speed ATM backbones. The new T-1 and E-1 circuit emulation modules for Cisco 7200 series routers and Cisco LightStream 1010 ATM switches integrate routing/switching functions and, says the company, cut the need to buy and manage stand-alone ATM access multiplexers. The additional capabilities mean that PBX trunks and video- conferencing traffic can run with their high-speed data traffic between buildings and campuses with Cisco LightStream 1010 ATM switches, and to their regional locations with Cisco 7200 series routers. The new cards concentrate voice, video or data streams and data packet streams onto a single broadband link, such as an OC-12, OC-3, DS-3 or E-3 line, for transport across an ATM network. Customers no longer have to use a separate ATM access multiplexer to support a combined ATM switching and access multiplexer function or to connect a separate router to gain access to layer three services. The ATM circuit emulation services port adapter for Cisco 7200 series routers is a dual- wide module. It has four T-1, 1.544Mbps, or four E-1, 2.048Mbps) ports that can support both structured (N x 64 Kbps, and unstructured ATM-Forum compliant circuit emulation. It supports either a OC-3/STM-1, 155Mbps, single mode, a DS-3, 45Mbps, or an E-3 (34.368Mbps) standards-based ATM interface. Circuit emulation port adapter modules for the Cisco LightStream 1010 ATM switch include 4-port E-1 and 4-port T-1 versions, which support ATM- Forum compliant circuit emulation services. The 4-port T-1 and E- 1 circuit adapter modules for the LightStream 1010 cost $4,950 and are available now. The 4-port T-1 module with SONET OC-3 single-mode ATM for Cisco 7200 series routers is priced at $14,000 with the DS-3 ATM interface priced at $12,000 – both will be available in June. The E-1 version is due to ship in the third quarter.
