Ethernity Networks adds Gfast to ENET4840z/99 40G Carrier Ethernet switch chip

Ethernity Networks (AIM: ENET.L) has used this week's Broadband World Forum in Berlin to highlight the addition of Gfast capabilities into its ENET4840z/99 Carrier Ethernet flow processor device. The addition of the Amendment 3 Gfast capabilities to the Carrier Ethernet switch chip enables the creation of distribution point units (DPUs) that can support Carrier Ethernet and Gfast-enabled residential and business services, the company says.

The Gfast capabilities include the use of 212-MHz spectrum and coordinated dynamic time allocation (cDTA), capability expansions recently ratified as part of Amendment 3 of the ITU-T's Gfast specifications. The additions help enable the delivery of symmetrical gigabit services via Gfast over existing twisted-pair and coax infrastructures.

Ethernity Networks asserts the power consumption of the enhanced ENET48xx is low enough to enable reverse power feeding (RPF), a feature of Gfast that enables DPUs to be powered from the customer premises they serve.

The ENET platform will support DPU designs with 8,12, 24, and 48 Gfast ports as well as a chassis configuration with 256 ports, the company says. The device's integrated, channelized 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) interfaces will connect directly to the G.Fast modems and multiplex the access data to 10GbE uplinks, Ethernity Networks adds. The chip also includes such Carrier Ethernet features as Layer 2 and 3 switching, Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM) bonding, and uplink tunneling. The ENET4840z/99 supports software-defined networking (SDN) through the Open Flow 1.3 API.

"From Ethernity's perspective, smoothly supporting 212 MHz is a very important transition," said Eugene Zetserov, vice president, product marketing of Ethernity Networks. "NG G.fast will bring a new wave of products and drive development of new technologies including different flavors of NG-PON…. The huge benefit to our customers is that FPGA solution enables us to add new functionalities without a new chip - smoothly supporting the new technology."

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