Industry News

Force Computers Announces Leading-Edge AdvancedTCA (ATCA) System Configuration at Telecom World Geneva Joint Demonstration of ATCA Technology By Force and Intel Underlines Commitment to Fast-Growing Standards-Based Telecom Architecture Common ATCA Platform Integrates GoAhead HA Middleware, HSS-based DMTP-3, Solid Database, MontaVista Linux and UXComm NE Management System Based on Modular Computing Products Concept of Multi-Vendor, Interoperable Building Blocks Including Blades, Storage, Chassis and Switches GENEVA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 13-10-2003 -- TELECOM WORLD GENEVA -- Force Computers, a Solectron company and a leader in embedded computing, today announced the demonstration of a leading-edge Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture (AdvancedTCA™/ATCA™) system configuration at Telecom World Geneva. As a collaborative project with Intel, through sharing of engineering resources and equipment, this demo illustrates both vendors' commitment to the fast-growing standards-based telecommunications platform architecture. This ATCA system, which provides a common platform that off-the-shelf building blocks can share for configuring quick-time-to-market solutions, integrates GoAhead High Availability (HA) middleware, Hughes Software Systems (HSS) based DMTP-3 protocol software, MontaVista Linux Carrier Grade Edition, Solid embedded database technology and UXComm network element (NE) management, proving Force's pioneering efforts as an ATCA system integrator. As an open architecture ecosystem, ATCA is a true modular computing product initiative based on the concept of multi-vendor, interoperable building blocks for server blades, storage blades, managed chassis, base channel switches and more -- helping cut development costs and time-to-market for telecom infrastructure including IP service platforms, softswitches, media servers, digital subscriber line access multiplexers (DSLAMs) and others with broadband requirements. Force Computers is a Premier Member of the Intel® Communications Alliance. "The standards-based approach to delivering next generation telecom infrastructure products will enable Force to efficiently and economically meet customer demand," said Anthony Ambrose, general manager, Intel Modular Platform Programs. "Utilizing the combination of Intel building blocks, along with the ATCA platform architecture, positions Force to respond to equipment-provider-specific needs." System configuration demonstrated at Telecom World Geneva During Telecom World Geneva, Oct. 13-17, Geneva Palexpo, Hall 4, Booth 4111 (Intel booth), Force will showcase its common ATCA platform demo, built on top of the recently introduced Centellis™ DS 31KX development system. As a leading integrator of ATCA technology, Force designed the system to interoperate with a range of building blocks from multiple vendors -- especially those from fellow ICA members, including GoAhead Software, Hughes Software Systems, MontaVista Software, Solid Information Technology and UXComm. Specifically, the configuration features: -- 13U/14-slot ATCA chassis with cooling -- Shelf Management Controller with SNMP remote access -- Redundant Base Channel 1Gigabit Ethernet Switch -- Dual Force ATCA-710 Mobile Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor -- M blades running MontaVista Linux Carrier Grade Edition 3.0 -- Dual Force Fibre Channel ATCA storage blades -- for server applications -- Two Intel® NetStructure™ MPCBL0001 High Performance Single Board Computers running MontaVista Linux Carrier Grade Edition 3.0 -- One Intel® IXMB2401 Single Network Processor Base Card (ATCA blade) with Intel IXA application software for DSLAM -- simulating streaming video via DSL -- GoAhead SelfReliant 7500 High Availability middleware -- adapted and tightly integrated into Force's EndurX HA product series -- with active and standby master and active and standby client -- demonstrating application fail-over -- Solid Autonomic Data Management Platform -- integrated with Force's EndurX HA series and GoAhead SelfReliant 7500 HA middleware -- to provide a hot-standby database configuration for "five nines" controller card data reliability -- UXComm Network Element Management Solution -- based on XTend Management™ -- a unified, adaptive management fabric for the integrated monitoring and control of modular computing architectures -- Distributed MTP3 -- part of Force's StackWare telecom protocol software -- with DS1 interfaces and MTP2 layers provided by PMC modules and distributed MTP3 implementation on Linux hosts "Hughes Software Systems, a long-time supplier of MTP3 telecom software to Force, believes the company's distributed MTP3 demo is a successful, essential step toward SS7-enabled telco servers and necessary for TEM and service provider applications to benefit from ATCA," said K. Chandrasekar, HSS vice president, Europe. "As far as we're concerned, it's positive proof that Force is ready and able to fill the ATCA integration needs of telecom and networking OEMs -- large and small. We're proud to partner with Force to integrate protocol stacks in Control-Plane applications." About the Intel® Communications Alliance The Intel® Communications Alliance is a membership-based program composed of communications and embedded developers and solution providers. Members are committed to providing a strategic supply line of standards-based solutions to the communications and embedded market segments. For more, see: www.intel.com/go/ica. "Because we are a pioneer in AdvancedTCA blades, systems and integration, Force is uniquely positioned to drive qualification for integrated solutions in the marketplace," said Roland Chochoiek, Force corporate director of corporate marketing. "In addition, we are very proud Intel recognizes our leading contribution in ATCA with our designation as a Premier Member in the Intel Communications Alliance, a community of communications and embedded developers and solution providers." About Force Computers Founded in 1981, Force Computers (www.forcecomputers.com) is a leading designer and worldwide supplier of open-standards-based and custom board- and system-level embedded computing solutions that address medical, industrial control, telecom, data communications and defense and aerospace markets. Force systems offer capabilities for Ultra Availability™, remote system management and platform management as well as feature telecom protocol software, telecom controllers and chassis compatible with NEBS Level 3 and ETSI building practices for embedded servers and custom integrated solutions. For boards, the company develops and manufactures leading-edge designs across a breadth of high-performance processors, high-bandwidth input/output interfaces and robust digital signal processors. Along with parent company Solectron, Force is certified ISO 9001 and practices Total Quality Management principles in all its global operations. Force's headquarters is in Fremont, Calif., with Europe and Asia-Pacific headquarters located in Munich, Germany, and Tokyo, Japan, respectively. Note: All brands are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Specifications subject to change without notice. Contact Force for current information. Intel, NetStructure and Pentium are trademarks or registered trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Americas Contact: Derek Handova Force Computers Inc. 510-624-5360 Derek.Handova@fci.com Europe Contact: Ulrike Mueller Force Computers GmbH +49 89 608 14-0 Ulrike.Mueller@fci.com