Turin networks' TE-100 takes multiservice to the edge

There's no getting around it: Ethernet and SONET are effectively colliding in the ever-evolving metro access edge network. But where the telecom bubble mentality might have called for an "out with the old, in with the new" revolutionary approach, the reality is that carriers are instead taking advantage of both Ethernet and SONET/SDH to light up new compelling services.

This is an argument that Petaluma, Calif.-based Turin Networks is taking to the streets with its TE (TraverseEdge)-100, a compact next-gen SONET/SDH ADM (add/drop multiplexer) and Ethernet edge system designed to push SONET/SDH to the edge along with the redundancy and Ethernet features carriers crave. The TE-100 can work in tandem with Traverse NG-SONET MSPP (multi-service provisioning platform) in both metro and IOF (interoffice) transport networks.

"As Ethernet and SONET collide in the metro network, we realized that carriers won't take an 'either/or' approach, but rather an 'embrace and extend' approach," said Kevin Wade, Turin's director of product marketing. "A carrier can use SONET for transport and Ethernet as Layer 2-3 for any kind of traffic, whether that be voice, video or data. The two technologies have both evolved: SONET has become more dynamic and the emerging EFM (Ethernet in the First Mile) and metro Ethernet standards are giving Ethernet more carrier-class attributes."

Taking advantage of the emerging data-over-SONET standards--LCAS (Link Capacity Adjustment Scheme), GFP (Generic Framing Protocol) and both Low-Order and High Order VCAT (Virtual Concatenation)--Turin's TE-100 will enable carriers to cost-effectively deliver packet and TDM services over a carrier's existing SONET/SDH network. This is then coupled with fully integrated Ethernet switching, which allows carriers to aggregate and manage traffic at Layer 2 as well as next-gen Ethernet services, including multi-point VPNs with guaranteed SLAs. Further, this integrated Layer 2 Ethernet switching can support port protection, L2 VPNs, 802.1Q VLANs, 1-Mbps increment rate control and port or VLAN-based CoS (class of service).

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The TE-100 can be deployed in multiple telco environments, including metro access rings (CO), as an end-node in a MTU (AC power option), outside plant, or directly in a customer premises. Turin's TE-100 optical ports can be deployed in multiple topologies including linear, ring, point-to-point and point-to-multipoint. Better yet, the TE-100 supports traditional SONET ring elements linear 1+1 APS (automatic protection switching)/MSP protection and UPSR (unidirectional path switched ring)/SNCP (sub-network connection protection).

All in a compact form factor, the product can aggregate a combination of DS1 or E1, DS3 or E3, Fast Ethernet and GigE service interfaces. Carriers have at their disposal a range of high-speed optical ports that use SFP (small form factor pluggable) transceivers for optional OC-3, OC-12, OC-48, STM-1, STM-4 or STM-16 connectivity. The product also features both fixed configuration and unprotected tributaries: 6 X 10/100 BaseT autosensing, RJ45; 2 X GigE, LX or SX via SFP; 28 xDS1 or 21 E1, RJ 45; and 3 X DS3 or E3.

But don't be fooled by the TE-100's 2RU size. As Turin tells it, what differentiates the TE-100 from other pizza box solutions is its ability to provide 'high equipment and transport availability.' Where the traditional pizza box products might stop at standard SONET/SDH protection, the TE-100 takes it up a notch by providing protection for the high-speed optical interfaces.

"The TE-100 is a real, solid product offering for carriers because it gives them a low-entry-point, multi-service access platform with a lot of Ethernet switching capabilities in addition to Ethernet transport. It's got all of the data-over-SONET technologies (GFP, LCAS and VCAT) and it offers a good choice in terms of ring speeds, strong protection options and it has flexible SFP optics," said Dave Dunphy, senior analyst, optical infrastructure at Current Analysis. "The good news is that there's been a lot of carrier interest in this kind of pizza box-type of deployment that can support a carrier-class Ethernet offering."

The SONET version of the TE-100 will be available in Q3, with the SDH version available in Q4.

www.turinnetworks.com

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