Cable Evolving Towards NG Ethernet Transport 

Carrier Ethernet is considered the preferred solution for cost-effectively enabling next generation networks to support revenue generating services such as IPTV and 3G mobile as well as transparent LAN and virtual private networks (VPN). The reason for this is clear; Carrier Ethernet is a cost-effective technology that can support data traffic of any kind, and meets the requirements of packetized voice and video traffic.

For this reason, Ethernet transport has gained tremendous momentum and consensus. However, the optimal transition path toward Carrier Ethernet depends on several parameters, including the applications the carrier wants to offer and the carrier's existing infrastructure.

The transition toward next-generation Ethernet-based networks creates major dilemmas for many carriers and service providers. It raises questions such as:

• Should a pure data network be built in parallel with the existing SONET/SDH infrastructure or would it be better to plan a gradual migration?
• Which is the most suitable network transformation path?
• Where is it most appropriate to start this migration, in the metro core, at the metro edge, or in the metro access part of the network?

ECI offers several solutions that address the challenges faced by service providers when planning the introduction of Carrier Ethernet networks.  These solutions offer an optimal transition path toward Carrier Ethernet networks while allowing operators to maintain their current service (uninterrupted) and the high-grade QoS and reliability expected from traditional networks. As a result, they gain simplicity, scalability and a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) for their networks.

ECI enables optimal transition by supporting Carrier Ethernet capabilities on our NG-MSPP XDM and Broadgate product families, and by providing a full integration of our NG-MSPP product lines with ECI's Carrier Ethernet 9000 Family. Our LightSoft NMS plays a central role in this integration, providing end-to-end service provisioning and enabling multi-technology cross-domain service creation and assurance.

ECI Solution Value Proposition

• Architectural Agility – Multiple Carrier Ethernet transition paths enable optimal deployment.
• Smooth evolution to next-generation networks – Lower TCO with seamless transition from existing infrastructure to NG networks.
• Ease of management – Point-and-click service provisioning, intelligent OAM, robust performance management, and field proven IP/MPLS control plane.
• Network simplification – True convergence for business, residential, and mobile services with simultaneous support of Layer 2/3 services and integration of packet and optical technologies.
• Real service-grade reliability – Transport-oriented, carrier-class solution, leveraging ECI’s vast carrier-grade expertise in Carrier Ethernet.
  

Product Offering

• XDM  is an NG-SDH/SONET MSPP family that including packet switching and MPLS support, providing the most effective packet over SONET/SDH transport by means of VCAT, LCAS and GFP.  An MEF-certified product.
• Broadgate  is a micro NG-SDH/SONET MSPP family, including packet switching and MPLS support.  The most effective packet over SONET/SDH and PDH mapping by means of VCAT, LCAS and GFP.  An MEF-certified product.
• The Carrier Ethernet 9700 Series  brings the qualities of transport networks to a scalable packet platform. At the heart of the 9700 is ShadeTree™, a field-proven IP/MPLS control plane with advanced Carrier Ethernet features for the delivery of MEF services, including E-Line, E-LAN, and E-Tree, as well as the latest Ethernet OAM standards from the IEEE and ITU.
• The Carrier Ethernet 9200 Series provides low and medium capacity switches. It includes carrier-grade, multi-service aggregation switches, as well as high-performance Ethernet demarcation units.
• ECI's LightSoft is one of the industry's most advanced and sophisticated NMS solutions, providing multi-dimensional network management that enables users to manage multiple technology layers (PDH, SDH/SONET, ATM, Ethernet, WDM and OTN). LightSoft enables easy provisioning of end-to-end services, as well as monitoring and control of all network layers. It hides the complexity involved in managing multiple technology layers.