Nortel Networks has introduced a set of software enhancements and
an add-on application that extends its IP telephony platform to
include support for wireless VoIP.
Business Communications Manager 2.5 Feature Pack 1 adds wireless
capabilities to Nortel's combined voice and data system, Business
Communications Manager (BCM). The free software upgrade has
integrated PBX and VoIP functions and allows both packet and
circuit switching, Nortel reports.
New to the Feature Pack is a wizard that allows the simultaneous
creation of multiple mailboxes and settings, support for multiple
IP addresses, a tool that permits remote call centre workers to
view activity throughout the system, back-up software, and a tool
for simplifying the administration of billing information.
Also offered are add-ons for Nortel's Meridian Customer Defined
Networking that assist in the delivery of trunking and centralised
voice mail. By linking the Meridian and BCM, communications between
branch and head offices can be improved. Also included is
Point-to-Point over Ethernet, a product that allows xDSL and DSL
capabilities.
Nortel has also announced a Layer 2 and 3 Ethernet switch that
boasts improved quality of service functionality and gigabit
connectivity to the desktop, respectively.
The switch called BayStack 470-48T 10/100, provides 384 ports and
as much as 16 Gigabit uplink ports in a stacked approach. As many
as eight of the 48 port stacks can be stacked to achieve the 384
ports.
Additionally, Nortel added BayStack Business Policy Switch,
software that allows network administrators to create policies for
data networks that carry multi-purpose traffic and to give priority
to select users or applications.
The BayStack 380-24T 10/100/1000 provides high-density gigabit
network connectivity to the desktop as well as data centre
aggregation. Architected with as much as 24 gigabit ports per
switch, the BayStack 380-24T offers high-speed multi-link trunks,
providing as many as 8Gbps throughput connections to servers and
other switches.