Fujitsu unveils FLASHWAVE 5300 Ethernet services platform

Nov. 18, 2014
Fujitsu Network Communications has introduced the FLASHWAVE 5300 Ethernet Access and aggregation systems. The FLASHWAVE 5300 series facilitates migration by carriers or enterprises to an Ethernet-optimized infrastructure, while preserving the performance, reliability and manageability historically found only in traditional telecom transport technologies, according to the vendor.

Fujitsu Network Communications has introduced the FLASHWAVE 5300 Ethernet Access and aggregation systems. The FLASHWAVE 5300 series facilitates migration by carriers or enterprises to an Ethernet-optimized infrastructure, while preserving the performance, reliability, and manageability historically found only in traditional telecom transport technologies, according to the vendor.

Whether modernizing a legacy network to support new Ethernet services or bringing five-nines availability to an existing Ethernet network, the FLASHWAVE 5300 series is designed to meet immediate needs and position networks for future demands, Fujitsu asserts. A unique design means the same platform initially configured for Gigabit Ethernet networking can be upgraded later to support 10-Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) simply by swapping the SFP interface with an SFP+ optical module. Customers who otherwise would be facing an expensive and time-consuming rip-and-replace scenario for higher network performance instead enjoy much faster migration, resulting in faster time to revenue and increased return on investment, the company claims.

The systems also emphasize service reliability and manageability. The FLASHWAVE 5300 series supports the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) G.8032v2 standard for Ethernet ring protection switching, ensuring a sub-50-ms failover in the event of a network disruption. Fujitsu also takes advantage of the greater network performance visibility provided by the ITU Y.1731 standard for advanced Ethernet OAM functionalities. Detailed, end-to-end monitoring data is integrated into the Fujitsu NETSMART 1200 Ethernet Service Manager software, allowing administrators to remotely identify and correct any issues without requiring a truck roll. The NETSMART 1200 also facilitates provisioning of Ethernet tunnels, protection domains and service OAM (SOAM) Y.1731 monitoring.

"Carrier Ethernet has become the technology of choice for delivering the next generation of fixed and mobile access due to its bandwidth scalability, lower cost, and simplified operation," said Ron Kline, principal analyst intelligent networks, at market research and consultancy firm Ovum. "These new product additions extend Fujitsu's Carrier Ethernet access capabilities to the very edge of the network giving the company a complete end-to-end solution in this critical market."

Fujitsu says the FLASHWAVE 5300 devices are compact, multiservice, carrier-grade platforms designed to deliver Ethernet, or Ethernet and TDM-based connectivity, supporting high-performance enterprise business services and 4G/LTE mobile backhaul applications.

The FLASHWAVE 5300 series, including the previously introduced FLASHWAVE 5310, is available in four configurations to meet a variety of connectivity requirements:

  1. The FLASHWAVE 5310 is a 1RU Ethernet access device with 4xGbE SFP ports built in and two module slots (with 4xGbE SFP port, 8xT1/E1 circuit emulation, or 1xOC-3/STM-1 channelized module options)
  2. The FLASHWAVE 5305 is a 1/2x1RU Ethernet access device with 4xGbE/10GbE SFP+ ports
  3. The FLASHWAVE 5321 is a 1RU Ethernet access and aggregation device with 4xGbE/10GbE SFP+ ports and 24xGbE SFP ports
  4. The FLASHWAVE 5322 is a 1RU Ethernet access and aggregation device with 12xGbE/10GbE SFP+ ports.

All FLASHWAVE 5300 series products are MEF Carrier Ethernet 2.0 compliant, Fujitsu says.

For more information on Carrier Ethernet equipment and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer's Guide.