Sycamore Networks to Acquire Sirocco Systems

Sycamore Networks> (Chelmsford, MA) plans to acquire privately-held Sirocco Systems Inc. (Wallingford, CT) for $2.9 billion. Sirocco develops optical access aggregation, switching, and network management products targeted for the metropolitan access market.

Sirocco will provide Sycamore with a comprehensive portfolio of multi-service optical networking products for the metro access market, according to Sycamore, by complementing Sycamore's existing product line of transport, switching and management products. With this combined product line, Sycamore will offer service providers an optical core that delivers a broad range of services including: ATM, TDM, IP, DS3/E3 through OC-192/STM-64, and Gigabit Ethernet.

Sirocco's recently announced products include Zephyr, an optical access device, Typhoon, an optical edge switch, and Tempest, an optical network management system. First products from Sirocco are expected to be available in the fourth calendar quarter of 2000.

Jonathan Reeves, president & CEO of Sirocco will assume the role of vice president and general manager of Sycamore's newly created Optical Access Division, reporting directly to Dan Smith, Sycamore's president and CEO. In addition, all Sirocco employees will become employees of Sycamore.

Edited by Erik Kreifeldt