RAD Unveils Central Site Carrier Ethernet Aggregation Switch

Provides Service Resiliency with 10-Gigabit Ethernet Ring Protection

RAD Data Communications has introduced the ETX-1002, a 10-Gigabit Carrier Ethernet aggregation switch. The ETX-1002 provides a central aggregation solution for RAD’s ETX Carrier Ethernet demarcation devices installed at the customer premises and service endpoints, as well as third-party network termination units (NTUs).

The ETX-1002 is designed for deployment in 1-Gigabit and 10-Gigabit Ethernet access rings with sub-50ms switchover protection to provide high availability and service continuity when fiber cuts or link failures occur. Equipped with multi-priority traffic management capabilities and Ethernet OAM diagnostics, it ensures latency, jitter and packet delivery performance for Layer 2 VPN services and VoIP transport, as well as for broadband access, data center consolidation and mobile backhaul.

Meets Service Expectations of Enterprises, Operators and Service Providers

“Ten Gigabit Ethernet access and aggregation rings are key elements in making packet switched networks (PSNs) a true replacement for SDH/SONET transport and in defining carriers' ability to meet the service expectations of enterprises, operators and service providers,” explains Ami Barayev, Product Line Manager at RAD Data Communications. “By connecting subscriber locations to newly deployed MPLS cores over scalable Carrier Ethernet fiber rings, telecom providers are able to optimize their networks for residential, business and wholesale services, as well as for mobile backhaul applications.”

The non-blocking edge switch grooms traffic from multiple locations using up to 24 Fast Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet links, to deliver a variety of services over up to four 10-Gigabit Ethernet connections at wire speed. In addition to its fast ring protection features, the ETX-1002 supports mission-critical applications with link aggregation (LAG) redundancy and standard spanning-tree protocols.

Ensures Successful Migration to PSNs

“Many carriers and transport providers have already upgraded their aggregation and metro networks to packet switched technology in an effort to support next-generation services with ultra-high throughput at lower costs,” notes Barayev. “However, to ensure successful migration from legacy SDH/SONET transport to PSNs, telcos require Carrier Ethernet access and metro solutions that are capable of aggregating SLA-backed, QoS-differentiated services with the high level of resiliency and reliability that is needed for effective network and service control.”