Covergence mourns lack of x86 based routers

UNIFIED NETWORKING specialist, Covergence, has found a spiffing new way to get its software into branch offices – run a virtual application. Sadly, most consumers have network processors inside their routers so it won't run there.

Basically what Covergence has done with its CVA-50 software is create a ready-to-run app that is packaged inside a virtual machine. So you could run it on any x86 piece of kit – although you'd probably want to use a half decent PC.

What the CVA-50 does is enable business to roll out their IP based 'unified' networks to small branch offices were there's no local IT support. By going down the virtual machine route, Covergence believes it has found the answer.

The whole network – which combines regular telephony, video telephony, fax and instant messaging (IM) over a single link - can be managed from one central location.

Covergence learnt from its experience with testing and certifying its product on the ATCA platform and the IBM Blade Centre, that dealing with hardware other than its own dedicated 'border session controllers' is a complex business.

So creating a generic PC compatible solution wouldn't have been cost effective. Taking the virtual machine approach, however, means that it doesn't have to care about certifying the hardware.

Rod Hodgman, vp for marketing with Covergence, told the INQ that the next logical step to widen the reach of its software would be to run it inside a router.

The snag is – to keep prices down – the majority of routers sold to consumers aren't x86 based. They run using dedicated network processors – not Intel or AMD based hardware.

The software isn't cheap, either. The recommended retail is $5,000 and interested parties are urged to join its early adopter programme. µ

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