Multi-Service SONET Platform

Five new hardware products have been introduced for the Unifier SMX Multi-Service SONET Platform. The new hardware products, which include T1, T3 and 10/100 Ethernet interface modules, as well as M10 and M13 Multiplexer modules, complement the product's existing OC-3 and OC-12 interfaces, and further simplify and reduce the costs of metropolitan edge networks. Additional services are also being offered. The additional services supported include Frame Relay and IP Routing, enabling service providers to extend their service offerings to more advanced data services.

The T1 and T3 modules feature high port-density and provide a high degree of provisioning flexibility. Both modules can be configured in channelized and unchannelized formats, which allows flexibility for packet and TDM services. Both can also interact with the optional digital cross-connect modules (M10 and M13), allowing switching at the DS0, DS1 and DS3 levels. The patented Any Protocol to any Port TM switching fabric allows each port or channel on a module to be provisioned independently, whether it be TDM, Frame Relay, ATM or IP.

The 10/100 Ethernet Module provides bandwidth efficiency and protocol flexibility making it an efficient Ethernet-over-SONET solution. For IP services, standardized ML-PPP bonding creates dynamic bandwidth channels, optimizing SONET for data transport. In addition, distributed switching intelligence allows full IP routing, obviating the need for external edge routers.

The M10 and M13 modules allow cross-connection of DS1s/DS0s, and DS3s/DS1s, respectively. Cross-connecting at the network edge optimizes SONET for converged voice and data services, particularly those utilizing fractional T1 and T3 access circuits. By grooming at the DS0-level, unused timeslots are stripped out of the incoming circuits before traffic is mapped onto SONET transport. This optimizes expensive SONET transport bandwidth and effectively utilizes expensive voice and data switch ports in the Central Office (CO).

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