27 May 2003 Hamburg, Germany Lightwave -- PANDATEL AG today announced the availability of its Coarse WDM (CWDM) system, the FOMUX 2500. Featuring data transmission of up to 1.25 Gbits/sec, the new system enables the transmission of large information packets in a variety of protocols. Thus, say company representatives, the FOMUX 2500 represents an inexpensive alternative to complex DWDM systems. Channel cards and time division multiplexers (TDMs) for ESCON and Gigabit Ethernet can be combined in one system.
The FOMUX 2500 was designed for the transfer of large amounts of data that must be managed flexibly--for network providers, enterprise networks, and broadcasting applications, and especially for the storage area networks (SANs) of insurance firms and banks, for example. The system enables a multitude of applications to suit a range of companies' needs, including video transmission in studio quality between television studios, the administration of film databases, and the transmission of voice and data in real time.
At the same time, up to eight channels or 32 various applications can be bundled or "multiplexed" on one optical fiber and transmitted over different wavelengths. In this process, the bandwidth of the data volume can vary from 10 Mbits/sec to 1.25 Gbits/sec. A demultiplexer on the receiving end reads the different wavelengths and routes them to the respective applications. CWDM technology can bridge up to 60 km if the quality of the optical fiber used is sufficient.
Channel cards and multiplexers for ESCON and Gigabit Ethernet can be combined in one system with the FOMUX 2500. For instance, up to 4 ESCON channels can be run on one line with the TDM channel cards CMX-CE4 and up to 2 Gigabit Ethernet or 2 fiber channels using the card CMX-CG2. Other protocols supported include STM-1, STM-4, OC-3, OC12, ATM Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and FDDI.
Despite the relatively low price, the FOMUX 2500 is very flexible and has a modular system architecture, claim company representatives. It can be equipped with up to eight channel cards. The hot-swap option allows for subsequent extensions and the exchange of individual modules, even during ongoing operation.
In addition, back-up and management components can also be ordered. If there is a dropout--say the fiber breaks--the optical back-up switch intelligent optical switch (OS-I) detects the interruption in the data stream and automatically reroutes via a redundant connection. An integratable SNMP agent serves to monitor the system, thus ensuring maximum security and allowing all of the settings on the unit to be made from a central control station; telemaintenance and configuration can all be performed via the graphic interface system PAGRIS.
The FOMUX 2500 is available as a 19" rack with slots for up to eight CWDM channel cards and one optical back-up switch.