Fujitsu introduces integrated element management software and server hardware package

EDP Weekly's IT Monitor, March 29, 2004

Fujitsu Network Communications Inc., a supplier of IT and networking solutions, announced today the immediate availability of a fully integrated and powerful optical network management solution combining the NETSMART 1500 Element Management System (EMS) and the PRIMEPOWER 650 server from Fujitsu. This bundled solution is positioned for telecommunication service providers and Multiple System Operators (MSOs).

There are over 300,000 Fujitsu DWDM and SONET network elements deployed in North America, and service providers can use NETSMART 1500 software to manage them. The current version of NETSMART 1500 software is a "best in class" EMS. It includes features that significantly reduce the time to provision circuit connections, and it provides network management teams with the capability to manage existing connections and perform alarm correlation.

The PRIMEPOWER family of SPARC compliant Solaris compatible servers grew out of the considerable mainframe expertise and global reputation for enterprise IT leadership from Fujitsu, the world's fourth-largest computer company. The PRIMEPOWER servers have consistently outperformed competitors in head-to-head testing and have earned a reputation for reliability and exceptional value.

"A comprehensive certification process conducted at the Fujitsu software development facility in San Jose, Calif., proved that NETSMART 1500 software will perform flawlessly and maintain full functionality when used with the PRIMEPOWER 650 server," said Steve Pelosi, vice president of network operations planning with Fujitsu Network Communications. "Fujitsu will use PRIMEPOWER servers at our Richardson, Texas, and San Jose, Calif., facilities to support customer deployments and continue to certify the servers with new releases of NETSMART 1500 software."

PRIMEPOWER servers from Fujitsu offer an impressive platform for high availability and data manageability. The Fujitsu-designed PRIMEPOWER SPARC64 processor conforms to the specifications set by the SPARC International Consortium and the servers are fully compatible with the Solaris operating system. PRIMEPOWER servers can handle high system utilization and peak load situations with ease, and include mainframe-class technology and features for high reliability, offering industry-leading UNIX server scalability for easy growth.

The NETSMART 1500 EMS allows carriers to manage, provision and maintain up to 8,000 SONET or WDM network elements from a single server. This fully integrated solution includes a comprehensive suite of element management features for quick and efficient turn-up of Ethernet, WDM, ATM and SONET services. Recent enhancements include a new connection manager that uses advanced algorithms to identify unused network bandwidth, determine optimal circuit paths, preview proposed routes to allow circuit parameter changes and path adjustments, and implement connections.

NETSMART 1500 software includes a high-availability system that provides continuous network visibility during server maintenance and full protection in the event of a catastrophic failure. Information stored on a primary server is mirrored to a secondary server. This gives the user flexibility by allowing a secondary server to be collocated or separately located and connected via a Wide Area Network (WAN) for maximum protection in the event of a disaster. Additional security features allow Network Operations Center (NOC) personnel to instantly access and update the security databases of thousands of network elements. An enhanced Product Change Notification (PCN) reporting capability is also included that allows carriers to instantly locate equipment in their networks when hardware updates are required.