TOKYO -- Cisco Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:CSCO) today announced that it has successfully worked with NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com) to demonstrate on-demand network settings between Tokyo and Osaka by utilizing generalized multiprotocol label switching (GMPLS) technology available on Cisco 12000 Series routers.

GMPLS is an emerging technology that extends the benefits of MPLS to provide signaling and routing capabilities for devices in both optical and Internet Protocol (IP) network domains. GMPLS control plane functionality has been available as a supported feature on a number of Cisco devices such as the Cisco ONS multiservice provisioning platforms (MSPPs) and routers running Cisco IOS and Cisco IOS XR operating systems such as the Cisco 12000 Series routers. Innovations such as GMPLS technology help Cisco deliver on its IP Next-Generation Network (IP NGN) vision, which helps bring about a broad network transformation that encompasses not only the service provider's network but its entire business.

"NTT Com's demonstration of GMPLS technology is an exciting yet practical example of how networking innovation can be applied to solve challenges facing service providers today," said Tony Bates, vice president and general manager of the Carrier Core and Multiservice Business Unit at Cisco Systems. "We are honored to have worked closely with NTT Com to help plan and implement this test."

In the trial, NTT Com deployed GMPLS control plane including the Cisco12000 routers over its commercial wide-area synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) optical network. As a result, GMPLS technology provided autonomous network-control functions, which can significantly reduce the workload required of operators designing how lines are established and how settings are changed on each node. NTT Com will make the full details of this demonstration available at Networld+Interop Tokyo 2005, which is taking place from June 8 through June 10 at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan.

"Cooperation with Cisco Systems brought us to a successful completion of this important demonstration," said Shin-ichi Kato, Ph.D., senior manager, Innovative IP Architecture Center, NTT Com. "These results validated the benefits of using GMPLS technology in wide area SDH networks and increased our operational know-how for the implementation of commercial services using GMPLS technology, which will help us serve our customers' needs faster and more reliably. We look forward to working closely with Cisco Systems KK to enhance IOS XR-based GMPLS technology feature sets to meet the requirements of next-generation IP/optical networks."

Cisco Systems Inc.