Information (including product prices, product specifications, details of services, launch dates, inquiry information, and URLs) contained in this news release is current as of the date of the press release but is subject to change without notice. Please note that details may differ from those effective on the search date.

Hitachi Cable has announced the development of two types of media converters providing support for 10 gigabit Ethernet*1: the XGMC-2016, a compact, integrated media converter, and the XGMC-2001L, a standalone media converter. Sales are slated to begin February 2008.

In recent years, growth in numbers of Internet users and expanding video distribution services have driven growth in the volumes of data traffic carried by Internet service providers ("ISPs" hereafter). Other factors driving growth in traffic volumes include growing corporate use of applications based on high-definition video and high-quality voice, such as video conferencing and IP phones.

In Japan, Wide Area Ethernet services and Ethernet Private Lines are replacing earlier ATM-based private lines for network links and interconnections between telecommunications carriers and enterprises; between telecommunications carrier switching stations; between telecommunications carriers and ISPs; and between ISP and ISP. Such trends have increased demand for devices that offer high reliability and maintainability-devices capable of accommodating future growth in network capacity. Growth in communication traffic has also led to a proliferation of devices at switching stations and other devices operated by telecommunications carriers, increasing demand for space efficient devices.

In 2000, Hitachi Cable released its GMX series*2 gigabit Ethernet multiplexer transmission devices, accelerating Ethernet adoption by telecommunications carriers in Metro/Access networks. In 2002, Hitachi Cable developed its GMC-1016 integrated media converter, which provides support for gigabit Ethernet. Adopted by many telecommunications carriers, this converter has amassed a considerable track record among Japanese telecommunications carriers as a reliable Ethernet network transmission device.

Drawing on its experience with these earlier devices, Hitachi Cable has now developed two media converters that provide support for 10-gigabit Ethernet: the compact, integrated 2U-high XGMC-2016 and the standalone 1U-high XGMC-2001L. Sales are slated to begin in February 2008.

A compact integrated media converter, the XGMC-2016 provides high capacity, reliability, and maintainability, all requisite characteristics for telecommunications carriers. The XGMC-2016 is primarily designed to be installed at switching stations operated by telecommunications carriers to handle communications between switching stations or to aggregate access lines between enterprises and ISPs. Within the compact dimensions of a 2U chassis (9 cm high; mountable in a 19 inch rack), the device can house up to eight 10-gigabit/s interface cards and up to 16 1-Gigabit/s interface cards, providing approximately four times the space efficiency of conventional Hitachi Cable products. The XGMC-2016 accommodates 10-Gigabit/s and 1-Gigabit/s cards simultaneously to enable a range of services and to ensure flexible response to future growth in traffic volumes.

The XGMC-2016 features redundant power supplies in a configuration that allows maintenance in the event of a power supply failure without interrupting operations (includes hot-swapping power supply replacement). It also allows users to change management cards without disconnecting the device. Implementing Ethernet OAM*3, the XGMC-2016 quickly identifies damaged sections if a communication fails, reducing the time required for failure recovery and improving maintainability.

The XGMC-2001L standalone media converter, the second device developed, accommodates a single 10-gigabit/s line in a 1U chassis. It provides large-capacity Wide Area Ethernet services when installed at an enterprise or ISP and connected to an XGMC-2016 or other media converter installed at the switching station of a telecommunications carrier. A pair of XGMC-2001L units (one on either side) can be deployed to establish a high-capacity Ethernet connection between an ISP and data center or similar facility.

Like the XGMC-2016, the XGMC-2001L incorporates hot-swappable redundant power supplies and Ethernet OAM to ensure reliability and maintainability.

Drawing on its abundant Ethernet expertise, extensive product delivery history, and experience, Hitachi Cable will continue to market products that meet client demands.

Based on the strengths of the XGMC-2016 and XGMC-2001L, among other devices, Hitachi Cable targets annual sales of 2 billion yen in its transmission device operations for fiscal 2008.

*1	Ethernet is a product name of Xerox Corp. Ethernet is a registered trademark of Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. in Japan.
*2	GMX is a registered trademark of Hitachi Cable, Ltd. in Japan.
*3	Ethernet OAM refers to Operation Administration and Management in compliance with IEEE 802.1ag CFM.

Major specifications for the XGMC-2016 and XGMC-2001L

(Specifications are subject to change without notice.)

Item Integrated M/C:XGMC-2016 Standalone M/C:XGMC-2001L Number of accommodated lines 10GbE: Up to 8 lines; GbE: Up to 16 lines 10GbE:1 line Management card Hot-swappable, RJ45 port, RS232C port - (Management unit is incorporated into the body) Power supply/Fan Hot-swappable redundant power supply, 100 to 120 VAC /200 to 240 VAC ± 10%, -55 to -40 VDC Forced-air cooling fan (integrated with power supply unit) Major functions Ethernet OAM, Link Fault Signaling (LFS), Link status relay function (Fast Link Relay; FLR), Loop back test, In-band management function (IFS), Power-off signal (R-INH), Hitless upgrade, Headless operation*1 10G User port XFP (10GBASE-LR/ER) Allowable loss/ Dispersion tolerance 25 dB/1600 ps/nm Transmitting and receiving wavelength 1550-nm band Connected fiber 2-core SMF/DSF Dimensions 19-inch rack 2U (86 mm high) 19-inch rack 1U (44 mm high)

*1	Support for Link Fault Signaling (LFS) is provided for 10GbE only.

External appearance of XGMC-2016