Zhone unveils FiberBuilder aggregation system

Zhone Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: ZHNE) has launched Zhone FiberBuilder, the newest addition to its MXK line of access products. The new platform provides high-density LTE mobile backhaul, MXK switch-to-switch trunking, and 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) aggregation. This combination delivers essential advances in access networking while meeting carrier-class requirements for multi-service hardware and software, the vendor claims.

Zhone says FiberBuilder has been designed to provide operators with superior density for LTE mobile backhaul and switch-to-switch trunking. The hardware includes two new MXK high-bandwidth uplink cards, which enable operators to offer high-bandwidth services in a variety of network designs with a wide range of available service types and features. Additionally, the uplink cards provide full card and network redundancy. If a card or network failover occurs, the standby card will take over instantly.

FiberBuilder also reduces cost and network management requirements by supporting dense 1GbE and 10GbE terminations in the same multifunction, multi-service system, Zhone says. FiberBuilder supports up to 56x1GbE interfaces and up to 14x10GbE interfaces in the same compact, dense form factor.

FiberBuilder also supports the timing protocols Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE) and IEEE 1588v2 (Precision Time Protocols), giving it the ability to derive clock input from a large range of clocking references – a key feature for systems supporting mobile backhaul, the company points out.

"Zhone's portfolio meets the diverse needs of service providers by providing a highly scalable platform and full-featured support for VoIP, data and video services," said Brian Caskey, chief marketing officer at Zhone Technologies. "Zhone's FiberBuilder brings together a unique combination of products enabling operators to deliver advances for residential triple-play and high-bandwidth business services over any FTTx architecture."

Zhone's FiberBuilder provides front and rear power options, easy fan access, a cable management tray and redundant power feeds. It also provides support for IEEE 802.1ag and Ethernet automatic protection switching ring.

For more information on FTTx/access systems and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.