July 28, 2006

Evolving Next-Generation Architecture for Mobile Networks

Industry Tasks Force Announces A-IMS
Verizon, along with a group of major telecom industry suppliers, including Cisco, Lucent, Motorola, Nortel and Qualcomm took an important step forward to advance next-generation network architecture for wireless mobile telecommunications networks. The group announced an initiaitve to develop enhancements to an emerging architecture, IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem).

The new architecture, called A-IMS, for Advances to IMS, provides solutions to implement next-generation services in current networks, and creates a foundation for the roll-out of both SIP- and non-SIP-based services in future networks.

IMS is generally accepted as a core component of virtually all next-generation, IP-based communications networks for SIP-based applications, and is designed to assure standardization of multi-media services across all of these interconnected networks.

Dick Lynch, Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer at Verizon Wireless, said more work was needed.

"We applaud the visionaries who have done a great job developing IMS over the last few years," Lynch said. "But as we approached implementation planning, it became apparent that there are some practical, real-world issues that need to be addressed if we are to transparently and completely deploy and maximize the use of this new architecture. To us, it is also important that it be built to support the bridging of the present non-IP reality as we transition to the future. As people look at what our task force has accomplished, I expect that they will see significant benefits, including embedding VoIP hooks into the lower levels of the stack and addressing security issues in a more systemic way. These are exciting advancements that are headed rapidly into our mainstream technology roadmap."

The group's task force has developed a concept document and an architecture document that are being provided to industry leaders. The task force plans to make standards contributions in the near future.

"The promise of IMS is extraordinary, for wireless service providers, as well as for all network providers," said Charlie Giancarlo, Chief Development Officer, Cisco. "A-IMS enhances the opportunity for success for not only the network providers but also for companies in technology, infrastructure, handset manufacturing and service design and, most importantly, for the consumer."

Andrew Seybold, of the Andrew Seybold Group, endorsed the initiative. "I plan to actively support the adoption of A-IMS as a set of enhancements to IMS and MMD," he wrote in Outlook 4Mobility. "I believe that the wired and wireless communities will also recognize the value of A-IMS and I encourage them support its adoption. Verizon and its vendors have identified problems and provided solutions in a manner that will result in an even better IP experience for all with multiple vendor solutions and a truly open set of standards."

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July 26, 2006

Chambers Cuts to the Chase With USA Today

Frank Talk on Important Issues
Cisco President and CEO John Chambers gave some no nonsense responses to questions in a recent interview with USA Today. He explained Cisco's point of view on net neutrality, on doing business with China and the company's Scientific Atlanta strategy.

USA Today: Since you're in Washington, why don't we start with the issue of net neutrality. Some Internet service providers want to stop treating all websites the same, and start charging extra fees for those who want to send content to users quickly. Much of the tech industry is backing legislation to prevent this. What's Cisco's stand?

Chambers: Our country is running behind in broadband build-out. I'm interested in our country building out its infrastructure. For that to occur, I differ from some of my tech peers. My view is regulation is not the answer. If you don't allow companies to build out with a high probability of a reasonable return, shareholders will punish them for building out.

USA Today: What about the argument that we'd wind up with a two-tiered Internet and start-ups won't have the same ability to reach consumers as wealthy companies such as Google?

Chambers: I wouldn't expect companies to pay for high-speed access — consumers will. If I want to watch a ballgame from multiple angles and perhaps telepresence across the country with my brother ... to expect that free of charge is not realistic.

USA Today: How about the consumer space? Cisco recently bought Scientific-Atlanta, a maker of cable set-top boxes for Time Warner and others. Is home networking panning out for you?

Chambers: We've learned that entering a market you don't understand by building products from scratch does not work. So we entered it by (buying) Linksys. We have over 50% retail market share. Combine that with Scientific-Atlanta.

Video is hard. Only two players do it well, Motorola and Scientific-Atlanta.

While we'd love to partner with (Motorola CEO) Ed Zander, it was too hard to move at the speed that was needed. So we bought Scientific-Atlanta.

USA Today: Cisco equipment is used by countries such as China and Saudi Arabia, where the Internet is censored. What do you say about that?

Chambers: We do not help any government modify our equipment or our code, not even our own. Whatever anyone does, they do off standard capabilities. It's like anything you have — like the telephone. It can be used for good or bad.

Make no mistake: The Chinese leadership understood that when they introduced the Internet, it would bring communications, capitalism and — my term — democracy over time. The benefits far outweigh any disadvantages.

For the entire interview, go to USA Today.

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July 13, 2006

Looking for a Cybersecurity Czar

Good Cybersleuths are Hard to Find
One year ago, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced the establishment of the office of Assistant Secretary for Cyber Security and Telecommunications.

Now the Business Software Alliance, whose members include Cisco Systems, Microsoft, Apple, Dell and Microsoft, has asked Chertoff to go ahead and appoint someone to fill the position.

The office, as described by the Department of Homeland Security, seems to be designed to be a key player in security matters, responsbible for “identifying and assessing the vulnerability of critical telecommunications infrastructure and assets; providing timely, actionable and valuable threat information; and leading the national response to cyber and telecommunications attacks.”

Robert Holleyman, President & CEO of the Business Software Alliance, said the group is ready to assist the office.
“We are hopeful that you and the Administration will soon be able to nominate a qualified individual for the Assistant Secretary position,” Holleyman wrote to Chertoff. “Our industry remains fully committed to assisting the talented staff assembled at the National Cyber Security Division and look forward to furthering the public-private partnerships established to better protect our nation in both the cyber and physical worlds.”

Jarrod Agen, a Homeland Security spokesman, said the department is "close to the final stages of the hiring process,” CNET reported.

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July 10, 2006

Bolstering NAC defense

An InfoWorld podcast on NAC Appliance 4.0
InfoWorld security expert Victor Garza interviewed Cisco’s Rohit Khetrapal in a podcast and includes a PowerPoint to explain the launch today of Cisco’s NAC Appliance 4.0, which pushes ahead policy-compliant network security for distributed enterprises.

Khetrapal sets out an overview of the NAC product and talks about how the security strategy goes “beyond the worms and virus battle.”

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July 07, 2006

Wired for Home Entertainment

Study Says Households Ready to Get Connected
Market research company Parks Associates says home networking adoption is about to take off as broadband adoption grows and easier-to-manage interfaces are made available.

The number of U.S. households with a connected entertainment network will reach 30 million by 2010, up from four million currently, according to study by the company.

“Broadband proliferation is a fundamental driver of connected entertainment opportunities inside the home,” Harry Wang, research analyst at Parks Associates, said in a statement. “But more importantly, better network configuration tools and easy-to-navigate user interfaces will assuage consumers’ concerns about setup difficulties or application glitches.”

CNET, in a story about the survey, cites Cisco as a company anticipating the trend.

“Since 2003, the networking giant has acquired home networking gear provider Linksys, cable set-top box manufacturer Scientific-Atlanta, and Kiss technology, a maker of network-based DVD and DVR players,” the CNET story, by Catherine McCarthy, (no relation), with a contribution by Marguerite Reardon, said.

“Cisco said its home-networking vision is to offer devices that can be connected to the Internet, as well as to other entertainment gadgets in the home,” McCarthy wrote. “And it plans to offer the networking equipment, such as wireless routers, used to shuttle IP packets of music, video or interactive games throughout the home."

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