On the Edge

Firstwave Secure Intelligent Optical Networks Inc., Reston, Va., was awarded $29 million by the Naval Research Laboratory to develop next-generation optical network management software and switches. Firstwave will build on capabilities of its optical transport equipment, which is deployed on the Advanced Technology Demonstration Network, a research network that connects the lab with other government agencies.

Meanwhile, Raytheon Co., Lexington, Mass., was awarded $1.34 million from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to help develop spectrum use techniques for the Defense Department's Next Generation, or XG, radio systems. The company will help develop transmitter applications that characterize the radio frequency environments.
Cisco Systems Inc., San Jose, Calif., is offering a Web-based Converged Network Investment Calculator to channel partners selling its Internet telephony products. Companies can use the page for more precise estimates on the return on investment gained by Internet telephony switchover. Registration instructions are at www.cisco.com/partner/cnic/.
Northrop Grumman Corp., Los Angeles, is beta testing new intellectual asset management software from Invention Machine Corp., Boston. The software, called Goldfire Intelligence, will manage the integrator's research and development portfolio. It uses a natural language search engine and extensive indexes to identify in-house technologies that potential customers may find helpful.IP Dynamics Inc., Alexandria, Va., has released virtual private network software that relies on domain names rather than Internet protocol addresses as the basis of provisioning. Under this paradigm, a VPN is created in software as an overlay on top of the physical infrastructure of networks, allowing for easy dynamic deployment.