NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: OPTICAL NETWORKING 11/10/04 Dear [EMAIL PROTECTED],
In this issue: * NEC makes advances in technology of tunable lasers * Links related to Optical Networking * Featured reader resource _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by Broadcom Converged networking is driving an evolution in the supply chain for IT equipment, which is dramatically changing how products are built--and assessed by buyers. "Rethinking the Building Blocks of Your Network" addresses the role of architecture, silicon solutions and chipset integration. Download the white paper today at http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=88237 _______________________________________________________________ SECURTIY SUMMIT: CAN SECURITY BE A COMPETITIVE EDGE? Recently 23 prominent IT executives and academics gathered at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH for a daylong roundtable to address such questions. CIOs and VPs from some of the largest and most well-known companies in the US shared with peers their security fears, goals, frustrations and challenges. Find out more: http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=87923 _______________________________________________________________ Today's focus: NEC advances to cut cost of fiber-optic equipment By Paul Kallender NEC has made advances in the technology of tunable lasers that will cut the cost of fiber-optic equipment and help communications carriers deliver more efficient communications services, and which will be commercially available by October 2005, the company said in a recent interview. While other companies have previously developed tunable lasers, the one developed by NEC is cost-effective enough to be widely used to replace the functions of many lasers currently used in fiber-optic networks, according to Hiroyuki Yamazaki, principal researcher at NEC's system platforms research laboratories. "We think we could make the laser for about half the cost of any other competitor, and we want to put it on sale internationally," said Yamazaki. He declined to say how much the laser might cost. Other companies that have developed tunable lasers include Agility Communications, Intel, Iolon and Santur. Modern fiber-optic networks operate on multiple wavelengths and the older varieties tend to use separate lasers for each wavelength. On top of maintaining these lasers, communications companies have to keep spares. Using tunable lasers means carriers can install just one type of laser instead of many, saving money, parts and inventory costs, said Yamazaki. There are two main types of tunable lasers that are used to send light pulses through fiber-optic cables. Some designs are based on a monolithic-type laser that integrates all the laser's components into a semiconductor chip. The second main type uses microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology which incorporates minute movable mirrors to adjust the laser wavelength. Typically, monolithic-type lasers are complex to design and difficult to make, while MEMS-type tunable lasers tend to require maintenance to keep them performing efficiently, he said. The NEC laser is built on a large-scale integrated circuit process that NEC uses to make semiconductor chips, so it is relatively easy to make at a low cost, while it is powerful enough and flexible enough to cater to the varied needs of fiber-optics communications, he said. The IDG News Service is a Network World affiliate. _______________________________________________________________ To contact: Paul Kallender Paul Kallender is a reporter for the IDG News Service, a Network World affiliate. He can be reached at mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by Cisco Systems Special Report: Bridging the Gap; Enterprise ROI IT professionals today don't indulge in the latest-greatest technology for their own sake; instead they concentrate efforts on projects that are most likely to help achieve business goals. Read about the challenges and opportunities when IT starts 'bridging the gap' and directly contributes to enterprise ROI. http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=87973 _______________________________________________________________ ARCHIVE LINKS Breaking optical-networking news from Network World, The Edge and around the 'Net, updated daily: http://www.nwfusion.com/topics/optical.html Archive of the Optical Networking newsletter: http://www.nwfusion.com/newsletters/optical/index.html _______________________________________________________________ FEATURED READER RESOURCE NEW! Website dedicated to Networking for Small Business now available The editors of NW Fusion and PC World have combined all their expert advice, authority, and know-how into a powerful new tool for small businesses, the new Networking for Small Business website. Get news, how-to's, product reviews, and expert advice specifically tailored to your small business needs. Find help with Security, Broadband, Networking, Hardware, Software, and Wireless & Mobile technology at: <http://www.networkingsmallbusiness.com/> _______________________________________________________________ May We Send You a Free Print Subscription? You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered at your fingertips each day. Now, extend your knowledge by receiving 51 FREE issues to our print publication. Apply today at http://www.subscribenw.com/nl2 International subscribers click here: http://nww1.com/go/circ_promo.html _______________________________________________________________ SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World e-mail newsletters, go to: <http://www.nwwsubscribe.com/Changes.aspx> To unsubscribe from promotional e-mail go to: <http://www.nwwsubscribe.com/Preferences.aspx> To change your e-mail address, go to: <http://www.nwwsubscribe.com/ChangeMail.aspx> Subscription questions? Contact Customer Service by replying to this message. This message was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please use this address when modifying your subscription. _______________________________________________________________ Have editorial comments? Write Jeff Caruso, Newsletter Editor, at: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Inquiries to: NL Customer Service, Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 For advertising information, write Kevin Normandeau, V.P. of Online Development, at: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Copyright Network World, Inc., 2004 ------------------------ This message was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
