RAD unveils new Ethernet access strategy and more

Galloping world-wide demand for mobile voice and data communications is making the volume and expense of cellular backhaul a paramount issue for mobile network operators, as well as for the carriers who frequently provide the transport links. Dominic K reports from Israel.

Zohar Zisapel

The complications of operating both 2G and 3G cellular equipment while migrating from 2G circuit-switched transport networks (TDM) to 3G packet-switched networks known as ATM initially and eventually as Gigabit Ethernet/IP/MPLS) raises further challenges.

This year RAD shall unveiled the world’s first-to-market pre-standard implementation of ITU Y.1731 and IEEE 802.1ag. The standard defines end-to-end, carrier-class Operations, Administration and Maintenance (OAM) tools for Ethernet networks. These new capabilities will help enable Ethernet service providers to proactively monitor their service end-to-end. Such a solution can minimise operational expenses and also allows guaranteeing Service Level Agreement (SLA) with customers.

At ITU Telecom World 2006 in Hong Kong, RAD Data Communications will unveil the EtherAccess, that deliverers both Ethernet and emulated services over any infrastructure providing carriers and their customers with a cost-effective, standards based system for delivering a uniform user experience with verifiable SLAs.

RAD Operations Center

“EtherAccess can fulfill three major Ethernet service requirements,” explains Zohar Zisapel, Chairman, RAD Group “First, by providing Ethernet services over a broad variety of access technologies, EtherAccess increases revenues by allowing Ethernet service providers to reach more customers”

He further explains, “Second, it provides end-to-end service control and SLA measurement tools, and third, it enables the migration of legacy services to packet networks to reduce cost and prevent customer churn. This is something that is especially important for carriers that do not own large TDM or ATM-based infrastructure.”

EtherAccess is based on the deployment of Network Interface Devices (NIDs) at the customer premises. These Ethernet NIDs mark an intelligent demarcation between user and operator networks and, in so doing, allow for end-to-end service control and SLA verification. This strategy will extend the service provider’s reach and control over fiber, copper and wireless links while facilitating management of differentiated services, including interoffice LAN connectivity, Internet access and virtual private networks (VPNs).

To further ensure the connectivity across a variety of access technologies, RAD’s EtherAccess strategy incorporates separate product solutions enabling Ethernet over fiber, Ethernet over SDH/SONET and Ethernet over copper (DSL). This ensures that the provider will be able to supply the same Ethernet service attributes and the user will receive the same Ethernet experience regardless of the transmission media.

EtherAccess platforms is also a mechanism that can monitor SLA parameters such as frame delay, frame delay variation (jitter), frame loss, and availability. The SLA verification mechanism records both SLA values over time and actively warns when values exceed the predefined SLA objectives and parameters.

In 2007 RAD plans to expand its EtherAccess strategy to incorporate its Link Access family of Integrated Access Devices (IADs) for transporting Ethernet over DSL and, subsequently, Passive Optical Network (PON) and wireless access product lines.

Pseudowired

RAD Headquarters

Pseudowire solutions are rapidly becoming a must-have element in carrier portfolios to ensure a complete multi service offering over packet-based networks and carriers, on the other hand want the widest possible range of choices in deciding which TDM pseudowire as the best support solution to their application.

Apart for the EnterAccess TDM, pseudowire gateways are unique because they will incorporate Application Specific Integrated Chip (ASIC), developed by RAD. This which supports Structure Agnostic TDM over Packet (SAToP) and the two IETF informational RFCs such as Circuit Emulation Service over Packet Switched Network (CESoPSN), and TDM over IP (TDMoIP) should give carriers the much needed technological boost.

In addition, the new devices will support HDLCoPSN, an IETF standard, optimising bandwidth for High level Data Link Control (HDLC) based services such as Frame Relay, X.25 and serial data traffic over packet-based networks.

Pseudowires enable carriers and enterprises to run voice, video, and legacy data over packet-switched networks (PSNs), such as Ethernet, MPLS and IP, thereby minimizing network maintenance and operating costs. Transparent connectivity over Ethernet/IP/MPLS maintains all features and functionality of the legacy network, including CAS and CCS signaling

Sophisticated Clock Recovery

Since highly accurate TDM clock recovery is the paramount issue for TDM circuit emulation, RAD’s third-generation ASIC also incorporates an advanced adaptive clock recovery mechanism, with accuracy of 16 parts per billion (ppb), conforming to G.823 traffic and synchronization specifications.

Pseudowire technology in the access is win-win-win for incumbent carriers as well as alternative carriers, data service providers and customers. It does not require any forklift equipment upgrades or staff retraining. Any high-speed last mile access network, wireless, DSL, cable, fiber or PON, can be leveraged to deploy traditional leased line services, PSTN access over packet or even cellular backhaul.

RAD was founded in 1981 and is a member of the RAD Group of companies. The organisation leads in telecommunication networking and internetworking product solutions.