Celion Networks intros new enterprise WAN solution, announces additional funding
9 December 2003 Richardson, TX Lightwave -- Enterprise optical networking solutions provider Celion Networks has introduced what it claims is the industry's first enterprise-class solution for transporting virtually limitless data over any distance. Using a single dark fiber, the Single Fiber Enterprise Transport Solution (ETS), provides enterprise-wide information availability for mainstream corporate users and enables enterprises to deploy new applications and significantly expand business continuity capabilities.
In addition, Celion has announced new Fibre Channel and FICON tributary interfaces to complement existing 1-Gigabit Ethernet (1-GbE), 10-GbE LAN, OC-192, and OC-48 interfaces. By transporting these interfaces over virtually any distance, Celion says it addresses the pent-up demand for true Wide Area Networking between multiple data centers throughout a country or continent.
"By using one fiber instead of the traditional two, the Celion single fiber solution will radically reduce the cost of enterprise transport networks while maintaining ease of use through advanced software control," contends Bob Tkach, Celion chief technology officer. "In addition, the new interfaces will allow enterprises to transport Fibre Channel and FICON signals natively over the WAN, as well as the SONET/SDH and Ethernet signals already supported."
"There is a real market need to get data transport systems up and running quickly, so that enterprises can accelerate the return on their investment while expanding their bandwidth resources," adds Mike Karp, senior analyst with Enterprise Management Associates.
The Celion ETS is currently available for customer shipment with Fibre Channel, FICON, Gigabit Ethernet, 10-Gigabit Ethernet LAN, OC-192/STM-64, and OC-48/STM-16 interfaces. Pricing depends on the range of interfaces required, the number of data centers interconnected, and the distance between data centers. Equipment pricing starts at $100,000.
Celion has also announced third-round financing totaling $11 million. Participating firms include existing investors--Sequoia Capital, Lehman Brothers, Global Innovation Partners, CIV Ventures, and Mitsui & Co. Venture Partners Inc.--as well as a new investor, Lakestreet Capital.