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Hitachi Cable has confirmed the interoperability of its AquaVocal*1 all-in-one IP-PBX*2 and the Ultra UTM*3, "Juniper Networks Secure Service Gateway (SSG) 5" (hereinafter referred to as the "SSG5"), a next-generation smart firewall provided by Juniper Networks, Inc. (Headquarters: Sunnyvale, California, US; NASDAQ: JNPR).

In recent years, falling prices and the advancing functionality of data communication networks have led to rapid growth in corporate internal phone networks that are able to connect different business establishments using IP telephony systems.

When an enterprise constructs an IP-telephony-based internal phone network connecting establishments such as its headquarters, branch offices, and sales establishments, it is common for each establishment to introduce its own IP telephony equipment and for the enterprise to subscribe to an IP telephony service of a communication carrier to connect the different establishments. However, the high initial cost is often a problem for small and mid-sized establishments, highlighting the need for a cheaper way to construct an internal phone network.

To address this need, Hitachi Cable has been expanding the interoperability between its AquaVocal system and various systems and devices provided by other manufacturers. As a result of these efforts, Hitachi Cable was recently able to confirm the interoperability of AquaVocal and the SSG5 of Juniper Networks.

AquaVocal is a single-unit all-in-one IP-PBX that provides diverse functions*4 for implementing an IP telephony system in small and mid-sized offices consisting of 200 users or less. AquaVocal makes it possible to introduce an IP telephony system at relatively low cost.

On the other hand, the SSG5 of Juniper Networks is a single appliance*5 that provides functions including firewall, antivirus, and VPN*6 for small and mid-sized offices. It is a piece of security equipment that enables the Internet to be used as if it were a dedicated line.

Combining these products for small and mid-sized offices has made it possible to introduce an IP telephony system that is efficient for a given number of users. At the same time, it also enables users to make IP-phone-based internal calls between establishments via the Internet without subscribing to the IP telephony service of a communication carrier, which lowers the cost of constructing the IP-phone-based internal phone network.

This system is also advantageous in terms of operations, as the VPN function of the SSG5 makes it possible to modify the settings of AquaVocal placed in a remote location via the Internet. With this function, the system administrator can manage the system without having to make business trips. The VPN function also makes it possible to place an internal call from any location using a notebook PC installed with a softphone*7 , provided the user is in an environment connected to the Internet, such as a business hotel. *8

Hitachi Cable will continue responding to the needs of its customers by promoting the integration of AquaVocal with various software and applications and providing solutions for using IP telephony systems more conveniently. In doing so, Hitachi Cable intends to increase its share of the IP-PBX market for small and mid-sized offices.

*1	AquaVocal is a registered trademark of Hitachi Cable, Ltd. in Japan.
*2	PBX stands for Private Branch Exchange. IP-PBX refers to a Private Branch Exchange for an IP telephony system.
*3	UTM stands for "Unified Threat Management." It is equipment that integrates various security functions into a single unit, including firewall, VPN, gateway, antivirus, antispyware, and intrusion detection/protection.
*4	In addition to the IP-PBX function, AquaVocal provides various gateway functions (protocol conversion for connecting different networks, including communications carriers, IP telephony networks, the public telephone network, and the internal phone network); PPPoE (Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet, which permits use of PPP over Ethernet networks; the PPP protocol is used to link computers to networks over telephone lines); and a survival function that allows sending and receiving between analog phones and the public network even in the event of a power failure.
*5	An appliance is a server or computer dedicated for a specific function.
*6	VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a technique that enables safe communication between establishments by connecting them using the Internet and the networks provided by communication carriers as if they were a dedicated line.
*7	Softphone is a technique for using a PC as a phone. It operates with IP phone software installed in a PC connected with a headset and a receiver.
*8	The PC used needs to be installed with the "VPN Client" of Juniper Networks.

Services, equipment, and software confirmed to operate with AquaVocal series

Classification Product Name Company Name IP internal phone network by VPN connection Juniper Networks Secure Service Gateway (SSG) 5 Juniper Networks, Inc. UTM (Unified Threat Management) appliance SonicWALL PRO series SonicWALL TZ series SonicWALL, Inc. IP telephony service FUSION IP-Phone Fusion Communications Corp. Hikari Denwa Business Type Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corp. Hikari Denwa Business Type Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West Corp. KDDI Hikari Direct KDDI-IP Phone KDDI Corp. IP phone terminal IP NetPhone SX IP NetPhone S SAXA, Inc. FOMA*1 / wireless LAN dual terminal "N900iL" NTT DoCoMo, Inc. Wireless LAN-compatible mobile phone "E02SA" KDDI Corp. (au) Softphone "LUTi IP-Phone" J.Link, Inc. Wireless IP phone "WirelessIP5000" Hitachi Cable, Ltd. Application IP call-recording software "Cozyvoice" Hitachi, Ltd. IP phone control software "COCO-DA-Phone" COCOWADOCO, Inc. CTI*2 software for small call centers "CallNavi" ACTION Systems Corp. 3 D reception system software "3d-Reco" Netdimension Corp. SIP-compliant door phone adapter LANdeVOICE DA301-SIP A2 Corp.

*1	FOMA is a registered trademark of NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
*2	CTI (Computer Telephony Integration): Technology used in call centers and similar facilities that integrates telephone and fax functions into a computer system. Linking to a client database allows for display of client information for an incoming phone number, among other features.

External appearance of AquaVocal 2004-FXSO