Scalable, Affordable Broadband RAS

New equipment lets smaller service providers provide and manage broadband Internet connectivity.

by Wayne Kawamoto [February 18, 2000]

3NO Systems, Inc. recently announced the Aurora 1000, a new broadband remote access server that promises fast, cost-effective DSL service delivery to business and residential subscribers.

Targeting ISPs, CLECs, and cable providers, the Aurora 1000 combines software with off-the-shelf hardware that links DSL Access Multiplexers (DSLAMs) and backbone routers. By providing a centralized system for terminating DSL connections, the Aurora 1000 offers a scaleable solution to manage DSL subscribers.

Designed for tier-2 and tier-3 ISPs
According to the company, the Aurora 1000 is the first product that's designed for tier-2 and tier-3 ISPs. 3NO claims that other hardware seems "universally aimed at large ISPs, CLECs, or cable providers requiring high-end, high port density carrier class solutions. Service providers seeking an entry-level solution have supplemented their existing routers with the understanding that this was a stop gap solution." Because of the significant financial investment necessary to deploy DSL solutions, broadband services were therefore beyond the reach of many ISPs. "3NO Systems realized the need to level the playing field, enabling tier-2 and tier-3 ISPs to offer broadband connectivity solutions similar to those provided by tier-1 ISPs," says Allan Chu, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of 3NO Systems, Inc. "With the Aurora 1000, we are able to equip ISPs with an extremely powerful broadband platform that is cost-effective, easy to manage, and easy to scale."

Features

3NO touts the following features of its software:

• SoftFlow queuing architecture for data prioritization, enabling an ISP to offer new and differentiated services to the customer, without requiring intervention from the network provider.
• AutoProtocol software that can automatically determine many of the network parameters that must be manually configured in other vendor equipment. Aurora simplifies network management and configuration by moving the complexity from the CPE to the ISP's point of presence.
• Support of RADIUS and RADIUS accounting systems, allowing ISPs to utilize their current billing and management infrastructures.
• Automatically administered Network Address Translation that allows a single "real" IP address to be shared by multiple customer devices, allowing ISPs to generate additional revenue per individual IP address.
• QoS-Driven service level management, supporting the creation of different service levels for tiered service offerings

Pricing and availability
The price of the Aurora 1000 base configuration will start at $15,000. Beta testing has begun, and you can contact the 3NO sales department if you wish to become a beta customer. Detailed specs are available on the company site.

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