iDirect Releases Evolution Platform Upgrade

HERNDON, Va., June 14 /PRNewswire/ -- VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect), a company of VT Systems Inc. (VT Systems), today announced that it has released iDX 2.1, the latest software upgrade to its Evolution platform. iDirect's Evolution line is built on the next-generation DVB-S2 transmission standard with Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM). iDX 2.1 increases DVB-S2/ACM efficiency gains through faster data processing speeds, introduces network scalability improvements and adds new functionality to iDirect's Group Quality of Service (Group QoS) technology. iDirect is a world leader in satellite-based IP communications technology.  

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New software features

iDX 2.1 is the fourth major release of the Evolution software, bringing the platform to a new level of maturity and functionality. The release features several new capabilities:  

• Software optimizations designed to yield an improvement of up to 15 percent in packet-per-second (PPS) performance across all iNFINITI and Evolution remotes allow service providers to facilitate greater voice traffic at each remote.
• iDX 2.1 adds a new bandwidth allocation algorithm to iDirect's powerful and versatile Group QoS technology. Now remote routers can retain their QoS configuration when moving across multiple networks. This enables service providers to manage Service Level Agreements in mobile networks more easily.
• Scalability enhancements in the operating software are designed to enable service providers to support up to 5,000 remote routers on a single network and target new opportunities in the enterprise, retail, military and other growth markets.  

In addition, iDX 2.1 incorporates Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.4 (RHEL 5.4), the latest Red Hat software release.

Maximizing DVB-S2/ACM efficiency gains

The new features of iDX 2.1 combine with the core capabilities of Evolution and iDX 2.0 to achieve greater bandwidth efficiencies and service flexibility. Evolution can deliver a 30 percent improvement in bandwidth efficiency over DVB-S systems, with an additional gain of 50 percent possible through ACM. These dramatic gains open new opportunities for service providers to improve support for a range of IP applications, including Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Voice over IP (VoIP) and videoconferencing.

With the release of iDX 2.0, iDirect became the first satellite technology provider to integrate 2D 16-State FEC coding technology into its overall platform. This powerful inbound coding option has delivered improved efficiencies, giving customers an increase of up to 20 percent in their inbound IP throughput without sacrificing link performance. iDX 2.0 also integrated iDirect's award-winning Group QoS technology with ACM, enabling service providers to create more flexible service offerings and improve customer satisfaction in geographies commonly impacted by adverse weather conditions.

Since iDirect's introduction of Evolution in 2008, the platform has seen rapid adoption by leading satellite service providers and operators. To date, iDirect partners have launched more than 200 Evolution networks. In addition, the world's top five satellite operators and major telecom carriers have now deployed or are migrating to Evolution.  

"With the launch of iDX 2.1, iDirect is once again expanding the power of DVB-S2, delivering new efficiency gains that set the industry standard. As we continue to expand the capabilities of our Evolution platform, our goal is to push the boundaries of network performance so that our partners can introduce innovative, differentiated services to their customers and capture the satellite industry's biggest market opportunities."

~ David BETTINGER

Chief Technology Officer and Sr. Vice President of Engineering, iDirect

With Evolution, service providers can readily upgrade to DVB-S2/ACM in their existing iDirect chassis. Once in place, feature enhancements and updates can be easily activated with over-the-air feature licenses.

For more information, please visit idirect.net

iDirect, a subsidiary of VT Systems, is transforming the way the world gets and stays connected. The company's satellite-based IP communications technology enables constant connectivity for voice, video and data applications in diverse and challenging environments. The iDirect Intelligent Platform™ integrates advanced technology into iDirect's portfolio of hubs, routers and network management software to address the growing complexity of deploying and managing global IP networks. With more than 15 years of global satellite communications experience, iDirect serves customers in over 50 countries through a diverse network of service provider partners, including seven of the World Teleport Association's Global Top Ten operators. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, iDirect has offices in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America. In 2007, iDirect Government Technologies (iGT) was set up to drive adoption of its IP-based solutions in the US Government market. In 2008, iDirect Asia Pte Ltd was established in Singapore to enhance its value-add and responsiveness to customers in the Asia Pacific region. Please visit www.idirect.net.

VT Systems is a diversified company providing solutions to the commercial and government markets in the aerospace, electronics, land systems and marine sectors.  VT Systems products and services include aircraft inspection, maintenance and modification; software solutions in training and simulation; satellite-based IP communications technology; network solutions that integrate data, voice and video; rugged computers and computer peripheral equipment; specialized truck bodies and trailers; weapons and munitions systems; road construction equipment; and shipbuilding.   Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., VT Systems operates globally and is a wholly owned subsidiary of ST Engineering.  Please visit www.vt-systems.com.

SOURCE iDirect