Overture 6500 offers Ethernet aggregation, switching, and SDN

Overture has launched the first member of its Open Service Delivery Family, a group of metro edge platforms that leverage the company’s recently announced Ensemble Open Service Architecture (Ensemble OSA). The Overture 6500 offers Carrier Ethernet 2.0 (CE2.0) Ethernet aggregation and switching for what Overture asserts is “any access method.” It is designed to support fiber, “E-Access,” copper, SONET/SDH, and TDM networks. The Overture 6500 initially will offer a three-slot configuration for Ethernet over fiber access and wholesale Ethernet applications. Additional chassis and line card variants for access over other media types will follow, the company promises. Overture lists the several features and benefits for the Overture 6500:

• What the company asserts is the only CE2.0 Ethernet aggregation capability for any access method
• A scalable architecture that can support more than 3,000 subscriber services, leverages centralized and distributed switching, and is available in multiple chassis options
• Resiliency options that include card, power, device, network facility, and multi-site redundancy
• Integration capabilities with future software-defined services and Overture’s Ensemble OSA. Ensemble OSA leverages principles of software-defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) to offer flexible service-aware networking and provisioning.
  

“As service providers embrace Carrier Ethernet 2.0 and scale their services using a variety of access types at the metro edge, they are looking to simplify their networks and improve their customers’ experience. Using fewer platforms from fewer vendors is one proven way to do so,” said Erin Dunne, director of research services, Vertical Systems Group. “But that simplification only solves part of the problem. Dynamic, on-demand, and automated services are the key to new revenue opportunities in the cloud – and that requires a shift to more software-defined services. Solutions that help with both of these areas will be pretty compelling.”

“While Carrier Ethernet has matured and become the industry’s dominant service delivery medium, service providers still face an uphill climb as they look to scale and accelerate new performance-assured services. The metro edge presents unique complexities due to the mix of access technologies and wholesale interconnections required to reach end customers,” said Jennifer Pigg, vice president, Yankee Group. “Solutions that reduce these complexities will dramatically speed time to revenue and reduce operational costs for service providers. If those solutions also easily integrate into next generation software-defined service environments, they have the potential to completely redefine the space.”

Thanks to its performance assurance and traffic management features, multiple synchronization options, and high service density, Overture sees the 6500 as serving in such applications as:

• Ethernet aggregation for business and cloud services
• Macro cell and small cell mobile backhaul
• Metro inter-office infrastructure
• Wholesale E-Access service presentation and termination.
  

For more information on Carrier Ethernet equipment and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.