News from 2008 through 2011

12/7/2011
Ethernet Switch Card for AM-3440/ O-9500			This is the first internal add-in card designed by DCB (in conjunction with Loop) for the Loop Telecom AM-3440 and O-9500 products. Using the new SW-8 ethernet switch card in the Loop Chassis instead of a separate ethernet switch and power supply saves rack space and wiring complexity. The SW-8 internal switch fabric is isolated from the AM-3440/O-9500 data bus, only drawing power from the chassis. The SW-8 uses one single space in the chassis. Read more here.
9/7/2011
New Voice Echo White Paper			This is a new white paper discussing near end and far end phone line echo as it specifically relates to our new AVA, Audio Voice Adapter. The AVA transports FXS, FXO, 4-wire E&M or push-to-talk raw audio via asynchronous or synchronous serial data paths. The AVA provides exceptional voice quality over low bit rates ranging from 2400 to 9600 bps as well as PCM at 56 Kbps. With this product, we raised the bar for low bit rate voice quality and lowered the price point! This paper discusses echo characteristics, and how they can be minimized with the settings available in the AVA. Read more here.

7/26/2011
SDH / SONET Multi-Services Access Platform			The Loop-O9500 SDH/SONET IMAP (Integrated Multi-Services Access Platform) is an economical carrier-grade STM-1/4 (OC-3/12) access multiplexer designed to provide integrated access to STM-1/4 (OC-3/12) optical lines through either a non-blocking VC11/VC12/VC3/VC4 cross-connect with high speed modules or through an additional non-blocking DS0 cross-connect fabric with low speed modules. The 6U shelf supports 4 High Speed module slots and 6 low speed tributary module slots for up to 4 aggregate STM-1/4 (OC-3/12) or STM-1/OC-3 line interfaces. Read the data sheet here.

6/8/2011
Character Repeater RS-485 Converter			The updated CR-2 converts between RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485 2-wire interfaces. As well as interface conversion, his converter may be used as a short-haul modem to drive a 4-wire line up to 5,000 feet. Works with multi-point or point-to-point RS-485. The unit re-generates the bytes, so it can even correct RS-232 characters degenerated due to oversampling tranmission techniques. Industrial temperature rated. Read the data sheet here.

5/16/2011
New Voice over Serial Adapter			The new AVA Audio Voice Adapter transports FXS, FXO, 4-wire E&M or push-to-talk raw audio via asynchronous or synchronous serial data paths. The AVA provides exceptional voice quality over low bit rates ranging from 2400 to 9600 bps as well as PCM at 56 Kbps. With this product, we're raising the bar for low bit rate voice quality and lowering the price point! Read more here.

4/20/2011
New Link Layer 2 Encryption Appliance			The new LLEA, a high performance layer 2 encryption appliance is an easily configured "lump in the cord" encrypter for gigabit ethernet links. With throughput greater than 500 Mbps (using AES-128), it fulfills many government, critical infrastructure ( CIPS ) and healthcare ( HIPAA) requirements for a FIPS 140-2 level 1 encrypted link. Read the Data Sheet.

1/25/2011
New Remote Power Control Unit NPS-01			The new Network Power Switch NPS-01 controls AC power to any remote equipment by using web browser commands received through a LAN or internet connection. The NPS-01 allows AC powered equipment to be turned on, off, or power cycled from any remote PC. It also provides a "watchdog" feature that will automatically reboot equipment if it fails to respond to a "ping" command. Check out the on-line demo or Read the Data Sheet.

11/15/2010
BERT Tester Upgraded With DNP-3, Modbus, Mirrored Bit			A new version of the BT-1 BERT tester has been released. This version adds DNP-3, Modbus ASCII, Modbus/RTU, and Mirrored Bit testing as well as other improvements to the BT-1. No other BERT tester in this price range offers such a wide range of features to the telecommunications engineer. Our in-house technicians use the BT-1 BERT tester on a daily basis, and whenever they see a need for additional tests or firmware improvements, they are quickly added to our in-house units. These changes eventually work their way into the production version after being thoroughly evaluaded by our own technicians in the lab and in the field. Since this BT-1 release is a major upgrade in functionality, we're also offering an upgrade kit for the older generation BERTs. This upgrade kit includes new firmware, an accessory package, and even the tools used to replace the internal ROM. Read about the new, improved BT-1 on the Data Sheet here.

9/13/2010
New Remote Power Control Unit SPS-01			The new Serial Power Switch SPS-01 controls AC power to any remote equipment by using ASCII commands received through an RS-232 interface. The SPS-01 allows AC powered equipment to be turned on, off, or power cycled from any remote PC, terminal, or other RS-232 connection. No configuration is required, however the dwell time for a power cycle may be changed. Read the Data Sheet.

8/12/2010
Holding the Line on Prices			At DCB's annual pricing review, it was decided to hold the line on product prices again this year wih no product price increases! We were able to compensate for higher external costs by improved business efficiency and cost savings from higher volume manufacturing. DCB retail prices have never been raised across the board, and we strive to provide the most appropriate products at the best pricing available. Just another illustration of our customer oriented approach to doing business and partnering with our customers.

6/7/2010
New Ethernet Extender Now Shipping			The Ethernet Extender is now available for immediate shipment to customers. This simple, no-configuration box will extend an ethernet LAN between locations over a mile apart using plain copper telecphone wire pairs. The unit is self-configuring to maximize bandwidth depending upon the wire characteristics for up to 50 Mbps throughput. An inexpensive, simple way to bridge LANs in different buildings on a campus or down the road. Read the data sheet here.

5/27/2010
New FT-Soft Encryption Client Released			DCB announces sfotware client support for Vista, Vista x64, Windows 7, and Windows 7 x64 as well as XP and XP-Pro with the new release of FT-SOFT, the software client for the FT series of encrypted bridges. The FT-Soft PC client software works in conjuction with the FT family of FIPS compliant encryption servers. It allows a PC to participate in the encrypted network without additional hardware at the client location. This new release is currently shipping. Read the data sheet here.

5/13/2010
High Performance FIPS Encrypter Now Shipping			A newly released high performance member of the FT family of encrypters based upon the FIPS certified encryption module is now shipping. The new FT-6630 supports more than 110 Mbps sustained throughput through its gigabit interfaces. The FT-6630 supports up to 50 client FT locations and is fully operable with the medium performance FT-6602 product line. Read the data sheet here.

3/12/2010
New White Paper - Bit Error Rate Testing			A short paper describing bit and block error rate testing, how to calculate bit errors, test patterns, hardware issues, and how to use the BT-1 BERT more effectively. Read the data sheet here.

1/22/2010
IP-6600 Routers Enhanced			The latest update to our IP-6600 and IP-6690 routers includes UDP terminal server functionality on a serial port. This subset of the EtherPoll functionality is fully compatible with the EtherPoll products. Your existing routers can be easily updated to this version using the web browser configuration screens. Read the data sheet here.

12/9/2009
SONET vs. STP Ethernet Switch Rings			SONET has compelling advantages over STP and RSTP Ethernet switch rings when mixing voice, serial data and ethernet data. The advantages and disadvantages of both transport options compromises are discussed in this white paper. Read the application note here.

11/25/2009
Smart Grid Communications With Encryption			The Smart Grid isn't just talking to remote meters. Implementation requires stable, secure back-haul communications to control sites. DCB's encrypted bridge prodcuts provide our utility customers with a quick, efficient, secure solution for transporting that information via ethernet networks.Read the application note here.

11/2/2009
Tunnel IPv6 via IPv4 WANs			IPv6 LAN traffic is easily tunneled through IPv4 WAN connections using one of the DCB encrypted tunnel family products from the UT, ET, or FT series. Since the encrypted tunnels package and transport all ethernet protocols, there's no IPv6 configuration required. Quick, economical, and simple! Read the application note here.

10/14/2009
New UT-Soft Encryption Client Version			DCB announces support for Vista, Vista x64, Windows 7, and Windows 7 x64 as well as XP and XP-Pro with the new release of UT-SOFT, the software client for the UT series of encrypted bridges. The UT-Soft PC client software works in conjuction with the UT family of encryption servers. It allows a PC to participate in the encrypted network without additional hardware at the client location. This new release is currently shipping. Read the data sheet here.

10/2/2009
New UT-3302 Encryption Unit			A new member was added to the UT encryption product family, the UT-3302. This encrypted bridge replaces the older UT-3300 and increases performance to a sustained 10 Mbps throughput, addes an internal four port ethernet switch, and other features at the same price as the older UT-3300. See the data sheet here.

10/1/2009
New ET-3302 Encryption Unit			A new member was added to the ET encryption product family, the ET-3302. This encrypted bridge replaces the older ET-3300 and increases performance to a sustained 10 Mbps throughput, addes an internal four port ethernet switch, and other features at the same price as the older ET-3300. See the data sheet here.

8/6/2009
Defcon and UCSniff Tool News			There is a lot of media buzz concerning the Defcon presentation demonstrating UCSniff and how it can eavesdrop and video hijack supposedly secure VOIP, video conference, and security camera data streams. The data streams between our UT, ET, and FT series data encryption appliances is not vulnerable to this attack. In fact, we have not discovered any attack vector that allows an eavesdropper to tap the payload information between properly configured DCB security appliances. DCB's UT encrypters are frequently used to securely tunnel ROIP and VOIP data streams between multiple locations for voice dispatch, VOIP, access control, security camera monitoring, NERC CIP applications, and HIPPA compliance. The FT-series encrypters are used where FIPS compliance is desired. See some of our security products here..

8/4/2009
NERC Cyber Security Standards and Dial Modems			Several portions of the new NERC Cyber Security Standards address the "Electronic Security Perimeter". CIP-005-2 through CIP-009-02 regulations are discussed in this analysis along with the new DCB dial-up Security Modem. The SM-56 is an industrial rated high security dial-in/out modem that is easily configured to meet the new NERC CIP security perimeter dial-in requirements as well as other higher security modem needs. See the analysis here.

7/20/2009
New Security Dial-Up Modem Shipping			The SM-56 is an industrial rated high security dial-in/out modem. It is easily configured to meet the new NERC CIP security perimeter dial-in requirements as well as other higher security modem needs. With features such as one-time passwords, AES shared key mode, and logging; it may be used as any other simple modem or configured for high security uses. See the datasheet here.

6/30/2009
New SCADA Poll Sharing Unit Released			The Poll Sharing Unit makes it possible to share up to four polling host computers to as many as four different device ports or RTUs, connecting to four or more different networks. Networks can be private line, phone company lines, wireless networks, or any combination of networks. The Poll Sharing Unit uses RTS/CTS or buffering and timeouts to resolve contention between the multiple host computers. See the datasheet here.

5/18/2009
New T-1 Monitor, Tap Released			A new T-1 Monitor or Tapping device has been released for production. This T1 monitor is useful for lawful intercept, CALEA, quality and content monitoring of T1 lines, as well as extraction of SS7 information. See the datasheet here.

5/13/2009
New Industrial Ethernet Switches added to Product Line			Three new eight port Industrial Ethernet Switches have been added to the product line up. These all include six 10/100BaseT ports along with a pair of either copper or fiber gigabit ports. All models support redundant power, DIN rail mounting, and wide temperature ranges. See datasheet here. These augment the existing line of industrial switches including the 8 port 100BaseT model and the smaller 6 port 100BaseT units with fiber uplink.

4/9/2009
New Features added to SCADA Encrtyption Product			DCB is constantly adding to our product lineup to meet new requirements and add functionality or flexibility. The new release of the UT-6602 adds a significant feature... UDP terminal services, with no increase in price. This is a built-in one port UDP terminal Server that is compatible with our SCADA server EtherPoll products. See the UT-6602 datasheet here. And the compatible EtherPoll single port SCADA serial server here.
3/5/2009
New Encryption Products Released			The new release of the ET-6602 and ET-6630 encryption appliances is the latest advancement. We have increased the throughput for ethernet encryption to over 300 Mbps with the ET-6630, and over 10 Mbps on the ET-6602. Check out the security products index for these latest additions.
1/2/2009
Updated Firmware Available			DCB is constantly updating the firmware in our products to meet new requirements and add functionality or flexibility. While updating some products requires assistance from the factory, many products suport a firmware update performed directly by the equipment user. We maintain a download page on this web site with the latest firmware for those products. Check your product's version history here. If the product you're interested in is not listed, just give our tech support people a call at 1-217-897-6600 and ask what the latest version is. We'll discuss update options with you.
11/21/2008
Software Encryption Client Released			DCB announces a new software client for the UT series of encrypted bridges.The UT-Soft PC client software works in conjuction with the UT-3300 or UT-6602 encryption server. It allows a PC to participate in the encrypted network without additional hardware at the client location. The new software is compatible with Microsoft Windows XP/XP-PRO as well as Windows emulation on Apple computers. This new product is currently shipping. Read the data sheet here.
10/6/2008
New BPF Features			DCB released new firmware for the Broadcast Polling FRAD (BPF). The new version features "AT" type pseudo dialing, a feature that allows any or all ports to interact with a computer to connect to remote BPF FRAD ports "on the fly". A host computer (or user at a terminal) enters a remote DLCI and BPF port number as though it were a phone number. This allows DCB's utility customers with Invensys MV90 software to eliminate dial up modems and phone lines now used to collect metering information from remote meters in substations. Read the data sheet here.
7/29/2008
New UDP Based Tunnel			This new encrypted ethernet tunnel product is similar to our standard ET line, except it makes the untrusted side connection via UDP. This UT series encryption product follows on the success of our ET encrypted ethernet tunnel bridges. Since it uses UDP, it has lower latentcy and works much better through wireless networks. Low latentcy makes it ideal for VOIP and video over IP. Like our other encryption products, it is reliable and easily configured. Read the data sheet here.
6/18/2008
New FIPS Based Tunnel			This new encrypted ethernet tunnel product is based upon a FIPS certified encryption module. This FT series encryption products folows on the success of our ET encrypted ethernet tunnel bridges and combines an embedded FIPS 140-2-validated cryptographic module with our reliable, easily configured product family. Read the data sheet here.
5/20/2008
New Applications Note			"Transferring Asynchronous Data Using Synchronous Paths" This educational paper describes the various methods used to transport asynchronous data through synchronous links. In some applications, only asynchronous ports are available on the end equipment, while the only practical communication path is synchronous. The concept of "oversampling", dedicated hardware, and reasons for selecting each are detailed.Read the article!
5/1/2008
T-1 Tapping Bridge Box Released			The T-1 Tapping Bridge Box provides an impedance corrected T-1 tapping bridge. Ideal for performance monitoring, signal monitoring, and small scale T-1 CALEA installations. Read the data sheet.
2/7/2008
High Speed 900Mhz Data Radio Released			Releasing another breakthrough product, DCB announces the new high speed DCB-500+ RS-232 radio modem. Although similar to other 900 Mhz data radios, the DCB-500+ provides up to 921 Kbps bandwidth, setting a new high speed goal for 900 Mhz spread spectrum radios. It's an ideal companion to the DCB ESB01-R ethernet bridge, and when paired together, provides over 600 Kbps of ethernet connectivity over long ranges. Read the data sheet here.
1/9/2008
SCADA FRAD Enhanced			The SCADA Frame Relay FRAD with network backup capability, the BPF-BU, now contains an enhanced backup feature. With the new firmware, the BPF-BU allows any of it's port communications to be protected up with dial-up, leased line, or wireless links. Prior to this release, the options to backup data links were either to protect a single port or all ports. Now, any one or more configured ports may protected from a frame relay network failure. Read the data sheet here.

Check the "What's Old in 2008" page to see other news items from 2005 through 2008. Follow this link to research a subject or find background information on a product.

Check the "What's Old in 2004" page to see other news items from 2003 and 2004. Follow this link to research a subject or find background information on a product.

Check the "What's Old in 2002" page to see other news items from 2001 and 2002. Follow this link to research a subject or find background information on a product.

Check the "What's Old in 2000" page to see other news items from 2000. You may want to follow this link to research a subject or find background information on a product.

Check the "What's Old in '99" page to see other news items from 1999. You may want to follow this link to research a subject or find background information on a product.

Check the "What's Old in '98" page to see old news items from 1998. You may want to follow this link to research a subject or find background information on a product.

Check the "What's Really Old" page to see the news items from 1997 and earlier.