Edge briefs

Zhone Technologies last week announced it has acquired a collection of network access products from Nortel, including Nortel's AccessNode, Universal Edge 9000 Digital Loop Carrier and Universal Edge 9000 Remote Access. The products are used by carriers to extend existing networks. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Zhone also said it will provide technical support for existing AccessNode and Universal Edge customers.

Zhone: www.zhone.com; Nortel: www.nortel.com

Salira Optical Network Systems, an IP/Ethernet systems provider for broadband access, announced the closing of $17 million in Series B funding that was led by Softband Venture Capital. Vertex Management and venture capital firm WI Harper also participated in the round. As a result of the new funding, the company says it will add Gary Rieschel of SBVC to its board of directors. Salira will use the funding to continue its product development. The company says it expects to be in customer trials with carriers and enterprise customers early next year. Salira says the completion of this round of funding brings total investments in the firm to $23.9 million.

Salira: www.salira.com

Remember Andy Ludwick? He used to be the head of Bay Networks before Nortel bought it, and before that he was founder of SynOptics Communications, a pioneering LAN hub maker. SynOptics later merged with Wellfleet Systems to form Bay. Ludwick is joining the board of Atrica, an optical Ethernet company that builds gear for metropolitan-area networks. He also sits on the board of Foundry Networks and Crossworlds Software.