Galazar's SAN framer requires its multiservice mapper, the MSF250, introduced last year, and its data services framer, the DSF250 (see Galazar Unveils Multiservice Framer). But execs don't see a disadvantage to OEMs in having to use more than one chip to obtain the SAN support, even though single-chip solutions are perceived as cheaper. "Two devices allow flexibility," says Coakeley. "Would some customers eventually like one chip? Yes. But Sonet is a premium service, so the pressure is not as great as it would be for pizza-box type equipment."
Galazar's closest competitor is Cypress, which offers its own two-chip solution, including a Sonet/SDH framer and accompaying SAN protocol FPGA, which also supports sub-rate links, for about $370 per 5,000. Cypress product marketing manager R.K. Parthasarathy says customers are using the SAN product in live deployments. He also says having more than one chip in the solution is the only way to go, since technology and protocols are changing so fast and customers need to constantly add variability to basic Sonet/SDH framing. Further, he says, two chips consume less power than one.
The market will determine how Galazar and Cypress play out against each other. But Galazar's announcement may also reflect its competitive situation with
TranSwitch Corp. (Nasdaq: TXCC), another semiconductor vendor, which sued Galazar last year for patent infringement then recently withdrew that suit and launched a motion claiming Galazar falsely advertised its wares (see TranSwitch Sues Galazar).
Galazar's CEO, Richard Deboer, says Galazar hasn't changed its product any, and he denies Transwitch's original claim of patent infringement, as well as its latest false advertising claim. Further, Galazar is countersuing Transwitch for its trouble. "We're not viewing this as a defendant anymore," Deboer says.
Transwitch didn't return calls asking for information about its suit against Galazar or its framer chips.
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