PacketLight Networks will make its formal debut at SUPERCOMM 2001, introducing what the company claims will be the first Layer 1-2 all-packet optical multiple-service transport system for the metro that supports carriers' SONET systems while accommodating future data and storage area network services.
The new system is based on PacketLight's patent-pending advanced architecture and technology. This optical transport system brings to the metro transport network -- in a single, all-packet fabric -- the capability of combining data, voice, storage and video supporting TDM, ATM, IP, SAN and all-optical signals. Moreover, it provides these functions simply, efficiently and economically.
The PacketLight system lowers a carrier's cost of ownership because of its simple transparent edge approach. It consolidates different types of equipment to use each wavelength more efficiently, which allows carriers to increase their service offerings. Its operational simplicity reduces inventory, provisioning time and complexity, and training costs. The system is also modular; requires fewer cards; has a small footprint; consumes less power; and is easier to install, manage and maintain than other systems.
The system provides flexibility in planning any topology. Carriers can build on their existing infrastructure or design new network topologies, confidently and economically. The system also allows carriers to fully exploit their fiber resources and offer any service on any wavelength, including combinations of GbE, channelized TDM, storage or ATM services, all while maintaining full support of SONET protection mechanisms.
The simple access interface accepts multiple types of inputs, including DS3, OC-n 10BaseT, 100BaseT, GbE, storage and wavelength transponding functions. The protocol-agnostic system keeps all inputs in their native format, guaranteeing the integrity of content.
PacketLight's new architecture is based on an optical node comprising a single packet switch, a lambda switch, and SONET restoration schemes that will co-exist with future non-SONET-based protection. It combines simplicity and transparency with a single point of aggregation. It introduces single packet switch fabric with any-service-to-any-lambda functionality. It integrates all-packet switching and optical switching in one economical platform.
The architecture's transparency allows carriers to use one type of service card for ATM, IP or TDM, as opposed to traditional "data-aware" edge solutions that use a different card for each service, which adds space, cost, and power. With the architecture's single, all-packet approach, SONET, GbE, Fibre Channel and any future service can now efficiently use single lambda. This greatly reduces the number of lambdas required in the network and allows the carriers to grow the network one lambda at a time. All services can be mixed on one or more wavelengths in different combinations. These services can be cross-connected between different wavelengths, and different logical topologies can be mapped by using wavelengths on existing physical fiber infrastructure to achieve a flexible service delivery scheme.
The PacketLight architecture allows efficient and flexible use of lambda resources in a network of optical nodes within the metro environment. Carriers can add wavelengths where needed by simply plugging single OADMs to the shelf in the participating nodes. All system expansions can be done in the field without any special tooling.
About PacketLight:
PacketLight is backed by strategic investor ADC Telecommunications, a global supplier of transmission and networking systems. For more information, please visit www.packetlight.com.