IMC Networks, a manufacturer of physical layer connectivity, optical networking and bandwidth management solutions for Local, Wide and Metropolitan area networks, announced its new FiberChain Gigabit Ethernet Add/Drop Multiplexer.
FiberChain is a device that enables the use of Gigabit Ethernet as a Layer-2 transport service for Metropolitan fiber optic networks. SNMP-manageable FiberChain acts as a bridging device to connect customer sites to a Central Office/Point-of-Presence while remaining transparent to the customer LAN.
Service providers and network operators are lighting up dark fiber or building their own loops to connect directly to office buildings, resulting in an all-optical network that is flexible and easy to provision. Designed to reduce the time it takes to provision service to new customers, FiberChain allows network operators to "patch" into or add onto a fiber installation to provide new 100 Mbps access points where and when they are needed.
FiberChain lowers equipment costs by providing only the number of ports and functionality needed, unlike more expensive switches with dual Gigabit uplinks and multiple fixed 10/100Uports that are typically deployed at the customer edge. It features two Gigabit Ethernet 1000Base-LX MAN/WAN ports to connect the device to a linear or ring topology and four 10/100 Ethernet ports to connect to the customer network. IEEE 802.1q VLAN support provides scalable and secure connectivity when used in conjunction with VLAN-capable Layer-2 switching equipment at the customer premises.
The modular FiberChain installs in IMC Networks' PowerChassis Series. PowerChassis are available as a standalone, one slot unit, typically installed at customer premises, or as a rack-mountable 13-slot unit suitable for Telco Central Office or service provider head-end applications.
Available during Q3 2001, FiberChain prices will start at $2,420.
About IMC Networks:
IMC Networks is an ISO 9001-certified manufacturer of hardware for Local, Wide and Metropolitan area network installations. IMC Networks provides physical layer connectivity, optical networking and bandwidth management solutions for enterprise, Telco and service provider networks. For more information, visit www.imcnetworks.com.