Tolly Group Testing Finds Telco Systems' T4 Routing Switch Outperforms Cisco's Catalyst 3550

Business Wire, June 24, 2002

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

FOXBORO, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 24, 2002

Test Results Show T4 Routing Switch Delivers 2.6 Times Less Delay and

Has Price/Performance 1.5 Times Better

Telco Systems, a leader in network edge technology and IP switching platforms, today announced the test results of The Tolly Group's evaluation of the T4 Routing Switch versus Cisco's Catalyst 3550 in Layer 3 throughput and latency performance.

The T4 Routing switch is a modular, stackable hybrid switch that offers 16 10/100 Fast Ethernet copper ports and two Gigabit Ethernet fiber uplinks. The Cisco switch offers 24 fixed 10/100 Fast Ethernet copper ports and two fixed Gigabit Ethernet Interface Converter (GBIC)-based 1000BaseX uplink ports. Testing of the two products was performed in March 2002.

The Tolly Group evaluated the steady state, zero-loss (less than or equal to 0.001%) bidirectional (full-duplex) packet-per-second (pps) throughput and latency of both switches using 64-, 512- and 1,518-byte packets.

Highlights of the test include:

-- The T4 Routing switch demonstrates 2.6 times less delay on average than the
Catalyst 3550 for all packet sizes tested.

-- Telco Systems' T4 Routing switch offers price/performance that is 1.5 times
better than the Catalyst 3550.

-- Telco Systems' T4 Routing switch delivers zero-loss wire-speed throughput in
Layer 3 IP tests for all frame sizes tested.

-- Telco Systems' T4 Routing switch supports QoS features designed to improve
throughput of higher priority traffic.

"As networks continue to increase in complexity, network managers deploying Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet need devices that deliver zero-loss throughput with minimal latency to support time sensitive applications, such as VoIP," said Moshiko Levhar, director, IP product line management, Telco Systems. "The T4 Routing switch sustains low latency at wire-speed throughput across all ports future proofing the network to accommodate such applications. This is another example of how Telco Systems' helps its customers to maximize the capacity and power of their networks."

"Telco Systems' T4 Routing switch outperformed Cisco's Catalyst 3550 delivering an average of 2.6 times less delay for the packet sizes tested," said Kevin Tolly, president and CEO, The Tolly Group.

The Tolly Group conducted additional throughput tests on the T4 Routing switch configured with an ancillary function enable, such as ACL enabled. Results of the test show that the T4 Routing switch forwarded 100 percent of the theoretical maximum throughput for all frames tested, with zero-loss.

In compliance with The Tolly Group's Fair Testing Charter (FTC), Cisco Systems executives were invited to provide a higher level of technical support for this series of tests. Cisco executives declined to participate. Also in accordance with the FTC, test results were shared with Cisco executives who neither acknowledged nor disputed their accuracy.

A complete copy of The Tolly Group's report is available on Telco Systems' web site http://www.telco.com/products_solutions/Products/edgeLinkt4rt5r.cfm or by request 800/221-2849 extension 2250.

About the Tolly Group

The Tolly Group, an independent testing and strategic consulting organization based in Manasquan, N.J., offers a full range of services designed to furnish both the vendor and end-user communities with authoritative and unbiased information. Additionally, The Tolly Group is recognized worldwide for its expertise in assessing leading-edge technologies.

For more information on The Tolly Group's services, visit its Web site at www.tolly.com, E-mail inquiries to info@tolly.com, call 732/528-3300 or fax at 732/528-1888.

About Telco Systems

Based in Foxboro, Massachusetts, Telco Systems combines over 25 years of experience in carrier solutions with a rapidly expanding portfolio of enterprise solutions.

Telco Systems provides industry leading solutions for 10/100 Mbps and Gigabit Ethernet over fiber, VDSL solutions for the MTU/MDU market, the broadest possible range of multi-layer IP platforms, and the company's EdgeLink family of integrated access, multi-service access and multi-service broadband transport products for seamless migration from circuit-based equipment to emerging packet and cell technologies.

Telco Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of BATM Advanced Communications. BATM (London stock exchange ticker symbol: BVC) is a worldwide leader in designing and supplying IP packet-based systems, such as high-capacity, self-routing switches with extensive QoS.

For more information, please visit Telco Systems' web site at www.telco.com and BATM Advanced Communications' web site at www.batm.com.