FORE Systems, the worldwide leader in networking products based on asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) technology, and GTE, one of the largest publicly-held telecommunications companies in the world, have been selected by Microsoft Corporation to provide the high-performance network backbone and related services as part of the company`s Redmond, Washington campus-wide network upgrade.
FORE Systems will supply the ATM equipment to GTE for installation in the network and GTE will provide ongoing value-added services. The ATM backbone will also support Microsoft`s worldwide Internet Data Centres. The network will be one of the largest concentrated deployments of ATM in the world.
The Microsoft ATM backbone will consist of meshed ForeRunner ASX-1000 10 Gbps switches connected via OC-12 SONET links running at 622 Mbps. ForeRunner switches will also uplink numerous Microsoft buildings throughout the Puget Sound area to the ATM backbone, with many locations deploying redundant switches. This ATM infrastructure will support the main Microsoft campus and three satellite campuses. Management of the FORE switches will be provided by FORE`s ForeView Network Management Software.
ForeRunner switches will operate over Microsoft`s local SONET infrastructure, providing Microsoft with a high-speed, high-performance network backbone that enables the company to connect its multiple data centres, and is capable of accommodating a wide range of future needs including voice, video and multimedia transmissions.
According to John Connors, Microsoft`s Vice President - Chief Information Officer, the company selected the FORE/GTE ATM solution for a number of distinct reasons, including the quality and responsiveness of GTE`s services, FORE`s leadership in ATM technology, products, performance and price, the manageability of FORE`s ATM products, and FORE`s scalability for accommodating growth.
"ATM is a proven networking technology and FORE - with its mix of products, its installed customer base and its experience with large networks - is a leader in the ATM marketplace," says Arne Josefsberg, Microsoft`s General Manager for Global Networking. "Another key factor was FORE`s ForeView network management software, which provides a solid solution for managing the network infrastructure."
"Perhaps most important, FORE is not standing pat on its technology, but is committed to having the next generation of ATM products available when we need them," Josefsberg added. "With ATM, we now have the ability to integrate voice, video and multimedia within the same, single network as those needs arise. The FORE/GTE combination gives us more options for optimising the utility, performance and cost advantages of our network, along with the assurance that these companies will be there to serve us in the future."
"FORE Systems and GTE offered a superior backbone solution that met the full range of requirements prescribed by Microsoft, and met them better than any of the other options considered during a long, thorough evaluation period," said Susan Ershler, Regional Sales Manager for GTE in Everett, Washington. "This monumental deployment of ATM will simplify the lives of Microsoft employees and help them be even more productive."
"Microsoft sets the standard within its industry because it understands better than any other company the ways technology can be applied to solving business problems, thereby creating a distinct competitive edge," said Tom Gill, FORE Systems` Chief Operating Officer. "Their selection of FORE recognises the performance and cost advantages of ATM, along with the fact that those advantages will continue to grow as we develop even greater capabilities in the future. We`re extremely pleased to be working with Microsoft and GTE."
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