EXFO has launched its EPX 6000 2.5Gbit+ TXCVR multirate transceiver for protocol layer test applications. A module housed inside the scalable multichannel EPX platform, the EPX 6000 is a test solution for system manufacturers developing new optical switches and crossconnects to relieve the bandwidth bottleneck in metro and edge networks. These next-generation devices can channel packets of message data into separate time slots to optimise the use of bandwidth. They can also divide a 10-Gbit/sec signal into four 2.5-Gbit/sec time slots or any combination thereof to fit the most traffic into an adjoining optical link. They can simulate and monitor live traffic on each individual channel, enable system manufacturers to carry out critical tests like bit-error rate, hybrid concatenation, and service-disruption switch time. With the ability to generate and monitor all channels simultaneously, the transceiver allows complete—not sample—testing.
www.exfo.com
Extreme Networks launched its first products for the new Unified Access Architecture for wired and wireless networks: the Summit 300-48—the industry's "only" unified wired and wireless Layer 2/3 stackable switch with power over Ethernet—and the Altitude 300 wireless ports. Extreme extended the capabilities of its ExtremeWare and EPICenter management software to address the key requirements of enterprises, including security, scalability, and manageability. The result is the industry's only single, scalable, and integrated LAN solution for wired and wireless applications that can be managed from a single console. The Summit 300-48 switch is a unified Layer 3 switching device that combines the intelligence to support wired and wireless applications into a single access device. Together with the Altitude wireless ports, these new products enable enterprises to seamlessly and cost-effectively deploy and manage a unified network for both wired and wireless users.
www.extremenetworks.com
Cisco Systems launched its next-generation stackable switch platform, the Catalyst 3750 series with Cisco StackWise technology for "desktop switching." The 3750 provides unprecedented stackable resiliency while delivering Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) performance, Cisco says. It allows mid-sized organizations and enterprise branch offices to significantly increase the operating efficiency of their LANs while enabling them to adapt to changing business needs. StackWise technology, the revolutionary stacking architecture at the heart of the Catalyst 3750 series, provides a 32-Gbit/sec stack interconnect that unifies up to nine individual switches, enabling them to behave as a single, logical, convergence-optimised unit that allows customers to deploy voice, video, and data applications with greater confidence. This innovation brings stackable switch customers new levels of stackable resiliency through advanced fail-over in hardware and software; unified services with distributed forwarding and quality of service; ease of operation through automated configuration; performance with the ability to handle the demands of GbE connectivity; and IPv6 readiness.
www.cisco.com
Lasirvis's SMA Ranger Turret laser module—SMA-RT for short—provides the perfect interface for laser connectorisation with standard plastic fibre. By utilising the core electronics of the established Ranger module series, the company has developed an SMA 905 standard housing to enable simple yet reliable connection into plastic communications fibre. The SMA-RT module design features a threaded turret for panel mounting in addition to two transverse tapped holes for PCB mounting. The drive electronics are located on a mini double-sided PCB, 5 mm wide and 10 mm long, on the rear of the module with access to the power adjustment trimmer. The SMA-RT module is fully featured with laser output regulation to better than 0.3% and full transient and EMC suppression with auto shutdown in the event of a condition likely to cause damage to the laser. Switching of signals is possible to 10 kHz as standard, with an optional high-frequency version that will switch at up to 155 MHz due out later this year. The SMA-RT module weighs in at a mere 6 g. The design offers coupling efficiency in excess of 75%, when using standard polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) communications fibre.
www.lasirvis.com
Tellabs added CWDM technology to its 7100 optical transport solution. The new capability provides a low-cost solution for transporting wavelength services to customer premises and enables service providers to generate new revenue on existing optical infrastructure. The enhanced 7100 supports shared customer networks that enable service providers to build an optical infrastructure that leverages a single capital investment in order to transport wavelength services to multiple metro-area customers. The new CWDM capabilities in the 7100 system's access multiplexer and data shelves aggregate high-speed data services at the edge of the network and transport these services to the closest central office. In turn, the 7100 system's DWDM technology will transport high-speed data services between offices. With the enhanced system, service providers can also seamlessly migrate from CWDM to DWDM to support both high bandwidth and data services when needed. The 7100 series delivers SONET, Ethernet, and SAN services on a single platform that uniquely combines access and metro interoffice capabilities and can be managed end-to-end with the Tellabs Light Path Manager software.
www.tellabs.com
Riverstone Networks introduced a family of switches that delivers true wire-speed 10-Gbit/sec performance at less than USD10,000 per port, including optics. The XGS family of 10-Gigabit Ethernet (10-GbE) Layer 3 switches combines the performance, scalability, intelligence, and carrier class features that telecoms carriers, government organisations, large corporations, and educational institutions demand for their mission-critical networks—at a price that makes the widespread deployment of 10-GbE practical. Analyst Dell'Oro Group says widespread deployment of 10-GbE requires the price per unit of bandwidth to be equal to or less than GbE technology. And Jack Costanza, manager of IT services at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, adds, "This solution is the only one we have seen that delivers true 10-gig performance at a price point competitive with Gigabit Ethernet."
www.riverstonenet.com