RICHARDSON, Texas -- DS3. It is everywhere. Ethernet. It is not everywhere yet. Covaro Networks aims to change that with its new CC-301 product, which will make it possible to deliver intelligent Ethernet services over DS3 facilities. Covaro's CC-301 creates a powerful and widely available connection between service providers and their customers.

Service providers, many of whom have a large installed base of DS3 equipment and a familiarity with DS3-based services, have long-hoped for a means of delivering Ethernet services profitably to all customers both in and out of region. But, because of embedded infrastructures that don't support Ethernet services, most service providers have been unable to provide the intelligent Ethernet service their customers are demanding. With its ability to map Ethernet over DS3s, the CC-301 from Covaro Networks is designed to take advantage of available DS3 transport systems or leased DS3 facilities to deliver Ethernet services either on or off net.

"Because of the CC-301, there are a lot of service providers that operate over DS3 that now have the ability to deliver intelligent, profitable Ethernet services," stated Joe Bass, president and CEO of Covaro Networks. "The cost savings and advanced functionality of Ethernet have caused high demand for it, but, until now, service providers haven't really had a good way to meet those customer demands."

The CC-301 also makes it possible for service providers to deliver the same intelligent Ethernet service to customers served on or off net. For example, a service provider serving a bank based in Texas could use CC-301 units and available DS3 facilities to provide Ethernet to all of the bank's Texas branches. At the same time, the service provider could use CC-301s on DS3 facilities leased from another service provider to supply Ethernet service with the same look and feel to the bank's branches in Louisiana.

The CC-301 features Covaro's patent-pending EtherjackR Technology, enabling the device to serve as a point of demarcation between the service provider's network and the customer network. EtherjackR provides remote monitoring and diagnostics for Ethernet services. Service providers can use these features to determine the location of a fault without having to go on site, which ultimately helps them deliver Ethernet services more efficiently.

In addition, multiple CC-301s can be used in a back-to-back configuration or combined with the CC-16000, Covaro's aggregation platform. Using multiple CC-301s and a CC-16000 to aggregate connections helps service providers supply intelligent Ethernet over any medium to reach virtually any customer.

"Providing intelligent Ethernet services over DS3 is important, but it is still just one facet of our promise to make Ethernet deliverable over any media," Bass said. "Using Covaro's products, it is possible for service providers to deliver intelligent Ethernet services over their existing facilities, be they copper, fiber, SONET or DS1s/DS3s."

Covaro Networks Inc.