DECEMBER 18, 2006 -- Juniper Networks Inc. (search for Juniper Networks) today expanded its portfolio of IP and optical equipment by announcing a new T-series physical interface card (PIC) with long-reach optics and other advanced features that enable providers to reduce the cost and complexity of next-generation core networks.
Juniper's new 4xOC-192 PIC features standards-based 10-Gigabit Small Form Factor Pluggable (search for XFP) optical transponders and inverse multiplexing to 40 Gbits/sec, providing what the company claims is unprecedented interoperability and service agility over optical transport and IP infrastructures. This flexible approach to optical integration enables service providers to improve operational efficiencies as they deploy next-generation core networks to support the increasing demand for emerging services such as IPTV and advanced multi-play offerings, says the company.
"NTT America has been using Juniper NGN solutions for our most critical backbone networks since 1998," reports Doug Junkins, vice president of IP Engineering, Global IP Network Business Unit, NTT America. "Products like Juniper's new 4xOC-192 PIC, with its range of uses and 40-Gbit/sec capacity, are exactly the reason. These interfaces offer a feature that no one else can give us--we can integrate seamlessly with optical transport equipment while maintaining our existing management operations," he says.
The new 4xOC-192 PIC enables providers to transport either a single OC-768 stream or four discrete OC-192 connections by using cost-effective 10-Gbit/sec optical transponders and leveraging their installed base of T-series routers. XFP optics allow non-disruptive upgrades and interface additions while ensuring interoperability with a range of standards-based optical equipment.
"Since 1999, providers have recognized that capital equipment efficiency alone can't control service costs," admits Tom Nolle, president and CEO of CIMI Corp. "Operations and administration takes about 70 cents of every dollar a provider earns, compared to 14 cents for capital equipment. Juniper is recognizing this reality by adding features to equipment whose goal is to help control operations costs, both by increased use of service automation and by establishing common interfaces and practices. It's not only a constructive step in creating a foundation for profitable services," Nolle says. "It's a critical one."
With an initial range of up to 80 km--expandable as new optics become available--the new PIC supports regional inter-POP connections directly from existing routing platforms, reducing costs by eliminating the need for separate optical transponders. Along with the existing OC-768IPIC, the new PIC leverages the service richness of the industry's newest 40-Gbit/sec packet forwarding engine for T-series routers.
Juniper says the new PIC augments its existing IP optical integration technologies, including GMPLS innovations and the 10-Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) tunable DWDM PIC, which features extended reach and the ability to use the full ITU grid by selecting fromI45 different wavelengths. With the ability to make software adjustments for future wavelength additions, the M- and T-series PIC eliminate the requirement for external optical transponders in the network and enable immediate capital and operational savings, say Juniper representatives.
"SUNet has had Juniper's tunable 10-GE DWDM PIC installed for the last few months," reports Borge Josefsson, CTO at SUNet, the Swedish University Computer Network. "We strongly believe in this technology and are confident it will contribute to an operationally efficient DWDM solution," he says.
"Multiplay services such as IPTV are changing the face of the core IP infrastructure because they are driving new requirements for increased capacity in the core, as well as integration of the IP and optical networks," adds Manoj Leelanivas, vice president of product management, Infrastructure Products Group, Juniper Networks. "Combining the intelligence of IP with the power of high-speed optical technologies is a critical milestone and raises the bar for next-generation core networks. We are very excited to be leading the industry with the introduction of this integrated technology," says Leelanivas, "and we look forwardm to bringing these capabilities and benefits to our customer to help them realize their next-generation network visions."
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