Atmosphere Networks (Cupertino, CA), recipient of this year`s ComNet show`s New Product Achievement Award in the Network Infrastructure category, has closed its second round of funding. Atmosphere`s Cirrus product family uses a "thin layer" of atm over Synchronous Optical Network (sonet)/sdh fiber to merge transmission, access, and termination into one integrated access system. The atm multiplexing ensures the network efficiently delivers traditional voice services and can support advanced services such as voice over Internet protocol, symmetric and asymmetric digital subscriber line, and packet over sonet.

Nortel (Brampton, ON, Canada) and Avici Systems (Chelmsford, MA) have agreements in place for Nortel to purchase an equity stake of approximately 20% in Avici Systems. The agreements enable Nortel to incorporate Avici`s terabit switch/router into its network design and Avici to incorporate Nortel technology and network experience into the design and evolution of its terabit switch/router.