SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Xellink Communications Inc., announced today a joint development effort with Data Connection Limited (DCL) of an enhanced class of IP/MPLS network connectivity to provide extensive, efficient security for multi-service networks. Xellink's and DCL's unique solution transparently carries IP network information across reliable ATM backbone networks without running IP/MPLS control protocols within the backbone. The solution provides significant network security benefits for IP/MPLS connectivity across ATM backbone networks and eliminates the operational issues and security vulnerability exposed by running IP protocols throughout the backbone. The solution also supports secure VPN tunnels and enables each tunnel to be configured for a different level of security awareness. For example, transport of sensitive information can be mapped to a high-priority security tunnel , with regular Internet traffic using a low priority tunnel. This is ideal for networks that require a high degree of security support such as those used by the US Government agencies, Financial Institutions, Health Care Information Providers and Network Service Providers. Xellink plans to add an option supporting end-to-end dedicated encrypted transport tunnels for the highest security applications. Mike Teng, Founder and CEO of Xellink said, " IP/MPLS is an important IP subnet protocol, however we believe IP/MPLS is not an appropriate transport mechanism across backbones. Our approach marries ATM and IP/MPLS to deliver a secure end-to-end solution. The Internet's exposure to ever increasing attacks such as network intrusions and Denial-of-Service can cripple networks nationally. Almost all attacks are targeting IP/MPLS based Internet protocols and the operations of these protocols throughout the backbone just exacerbates the vulnerability". Xellink Communications Inc. Data Connection Ltd. (DCL)