OKI Enhances Service Level for its Security Gateway "CenterStage® NX4300" with Translator Function

Offers comfortable connection environment for IPv6 users

CenterStage NX4300

TOKYO, March 30, 2009 -- OKI Electric Industry (TSE: 6703) today announced it has added new functions to its security gateway "CenterStage® NX4300" which is equipped with a translator function to allow communications over different protocols, such as IPv4 and IPv6. The newly added functions include a session assurance function and premium forwarding functionality to ensure flexible user service level. These functions enable interwork between IPv4 and IPv6 and create a comfortable connection environment for IPv6 users. The product will be sold to telecom carriers in Japan using IPv6 from September 2009.

"It is expected that the inventory of IPv4 addresses will be depleted in the coming years, and as a countermeasure, it has become important to shift to IPv6. However, during the transition period, it will be necessary to implement measures to extend IPv4 network lifetimes while establishing new IPv6 networks, achieve interworking among them, and minimize the quality deterioration while interworking," said Hidetoshi Saigou, General Manager of Carriers Business Division at OKI. "By adding two new functions to our NX4300, we believe we can offer a great connection environment to users while contributing to the smooth transition to IPv6."

OKI's NX4300 is a carrier-grade security gateway with a translator function to enable interwork between IPv4 and IPv6. The system adopts the ATCA(*1) platform and network processor, achieving carrier-grade translator capability with high-speed processing and high-availability. OKI added a session assurance function to ensure flexible service level for users using IPv6 devices and a premium forwarding function to enable high-speed forwarding of large capacity rich content, enabling interwork between IPv4 and IPv6. In addition, the gateway offers a better connection environment when IPv6 users access existing IPv4 network resources and data center resources, because it can preferentially convert protocols and enable high-speed forwarding depending on the service level, even when the network load is high.

Going forward, OKI will enhance the function of its NX Series as a security gateway and contribute to the smooth transition to IPv6 by adding an IPv6 security function and a DPI (Deep Packet Inspection) function to accommodate the full-scale expansion of NGN(*2).

[Reference] Example of a CenterStage NX4300 Connection

[Reference] Major characteristics of CenterStage NX4300

1. High-speed packet processing

   The NX4300 converts packets of data traffic such as websites, mails and FTP from IPv4 to IPv6 at a speed of 8Gbps per translator blade and a maximum of 80Gbps total throughput.

2. Session assurance function

   This function assures a specified number of sessions for each device address and address block depending on the user's service level. The function offers "minimum assurance" type of session, so when resource capacity is available, it can accommodate an even greater number of sessions than specified.

3. Premium forwarding function

   By specifying a device address, this function will conduct preferential high-speed forwarding using hardware depending on the users' service level. Thus, users can download large capacity rich content without stressing the system.

4. DNS-ALG function

   Users can incorporate on an ALG blade an ALG function that converts DNS inquiry from IPv6 to IPv4. Two-way communication between IPv6 and IPv4 can be achieved by linking with a translator blade.

5. HTTP-ALG function

   This function, by analyzing a website, automatically detects the IPv4 address direct link, and converts it into an IPv6 address. Thus, users can access websites directly from the IPv6 native terminal without upgrading the existing IPv4 web server.

6. Easy to add functions

   By adopting ATCA platform and network process, users can flexibly add functions

[Reference] Sales plan

Price

Differs depending on network structure and capacity

Sales

Start from September 2009

Sales targe

100 units in the next three years

Glossary

• *1 :ATCA

  Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture

• *2 :NGN

  Next Generation Network

About Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1881, Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. is Japan's first telecommunications manufacturer, with its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. OKI provides top-quality products, technologies and solutions to its customers through its info-telecom system business and printer business. All businesses function as a collective force to create exciting new products and technologies that satisfy a spectrum of customer needs in various markets. Visit OKI's global web site at http://www.oki.com/.

• CenterStage is a registered trademark of Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
• Names of companies and products are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies and organizations.

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• * Information in the press releases is current on the date of the press announcement, but is subject to change without prior notice.