Internap boosts route-optimization lineup

Internap Network Services this week at Interop 2005 announced enhancements to its line of route optimization gear with a new appliance, a network monitoring tool and an application specific module.

Internap introduced its latest route optimization device for users with high bandwidth needs. Internap's FlowControl Platform (FCP) 5200 intelligently routes up to 6G bit/sec of traffic across multiple IP networks for the best performance available based on policies set by the customer.

The platform is designed for users that have significant bandwidth needs now with plans to increase. The device is equipped with a 1G bit/sec card and can be upgraded, 1G bit/sec at a time, up to its 6G bit/sec capacity.

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Internap Network Services this week at Interop 2005 announced enhancements to its line of route optimization gear with a new appliance, a network monitoring tool and an application specific module.

Internap introduced its latest route optimization device for users with high bandwidth needs. Internap's FlowControl Platform (FCP) 5200 intelligently routes up to 6G bit/sec of traffic across multiple IP networks for the best performance available based on policies set by the customer.

The platform is designed for users that have significant bandwidth needs now with plans to increase. The device is equipped with a 1G bit/sec card and can be upgraded, 1G bit/sec at a time, up to its 6G bit/sec capacity.

FCP 5200 replaces the FCP 5000, which maxed out at 3G bit/sec. The FCP 5200 is available now starting at $100,000.

Internap also announced a network management device and tool for IP customers that do not need route optimization capabilities. Internap's FlowView Platform (FVP) 120 device provides users with performance stats about their IP network and the Internet at large.

The service provider says the FVP 120 is an entry-level performance monitoring tool for users that may only use a single IP provider. The technology stems from Internap's FCP line of products, but does not include route optimization features.

The FVP 120 is available now for $12,500.

Internap also announced its first module for its FCP network appliances designed to improve voice traffic performance over IP networks.

The FVP VoIP Control Module allows users to view performance metrics that are specific to voice traffic and set policies that allow the FCP system to find the best route available based on those policies. 

The tool lets users see standard performance metrics such as packet loss and latency, but also jitter and mean opinion score (MOS). Internap says many VoIP service providers use MOS to better judge the voice quality of their network.

Internap's new module allows users to view the MOS for all of their IP providers and then route traffic based on thresholds that are predefined by the customer. For example, the average MOS for a cellular call is 3.6 and anything below that is considered unacceptable quality, the service provider says.

Users could have a policy that says when one ISP's MOS score falls below 3.6 that all traffic should be sent over a second or third ISP.

The FVP VoIP Control Module is expected to be available in June on Internap's FCP 500 network appliance, which supports up to 700M bit/sec of traffic.

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