SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Redback Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: RBAK), a leading provider of next-generation broadband networking systems, today announced that the latest software for its next-generation SmartEdge® platform now gives Internet Service Providers (ISPs) an enhanced ability of receiving high bandwidth tunnels from broadband wholesalers. The capability enables ISPs to consolidate elements of their networks that are currently separate and boost overall reliability, scalability and ease of operation.

Now the Redback SmartEdge family provides a complete suite of enhanced functions for sending, receiving or balancing wholesale broadband L2TP tunnels, including L2TP Network Server (LNS), L2TP Access Server (LAC) and L2TP Tunnel Switch (LTS) on a platform designed for carrier-class reliability, consumer-level scalability and integration of consumer and business IP services. Integrated with the edge routing functions of the SmartEdge platform, the enhanced L2TP functionality enables ISPs to combine previously separate edge router and LNS into one converged platform.

“High reliability and performance is crucial for the broadband ISP,” said Dr. Ray Mota, chief research officer, Synergy Research Group. “Integrating LNS and MPLS VPNs on a single platform and offering the advantages of the Redback SmartEdge system can enable service providers to achieve very high reliability and operational efficiencies to serve their customers and run their business.”

“The new, enhanced LNS and LNS on our next-generation SmartEdge platform propels us into an important, growing market segment,” said Shailesh Shukla, vice president of marketing and business development for Redback Networks. “Introducing enhanced LNS functionality on the SmartEdge platform with individual session fail-over protection extends an already highly reliable, scalable and efficient platform and brings it to a new level for broadband ISPs.”

Redback Networks Inc.