Optical Leader Nortel Pushing Into Network Software

Nortel (NT) used the brawn of high-capacity pipes to get to the top of the optical-networking market. Now it's turning to the brains of software applications to help run networks better.

Nortel says network operators Williams Communications (WCG), 360Networks (TSIX) and NorthEast Optic Network (NOPT) have purchased Nortel's newest network operation product, called Managed Wavelength Services. The management system enables network operators to instantly create specific Internet pathways for big traffic users.

With the rapid increase of Internet backbone capacity, new management tools are needed to harness the raw bandwidth. Nortel's product will compete against similar products developed by networking rivals such as Lucent (LU), Ciena (CIEN), Sycamore (SCMR) and Cisco (CSCO).

Representatives from Williams and 360Networks weren't immediately available for comment. North East Optical Network's head of marketing and development, Brad Bradshaw, says Nortel's system has been a step toward allowing his company to make its network more flexible.

The bottom line: Networks are far from perfect in terms of manageability, so Nortel and the optical-network ringleaders are doing what they can to make the circus a little less hectic.

>To order reprints of this article, click here: Reprints