Nortel
Networks unveiled its Multiservice Provider Edge (MPE) 9000
series platform for converging multiple services over an IP/MPLS
core. At its customer conference in Miami, Nortel Networks’ said
its new platform would address the network reliability, service
scalability and traffic prioritization shortcomings of current
edge routers. Nortel Networks contends that its MPE platform is
built for the delivery of multiple services with appropriate
prioritization whether at Layer 2 or at Layer 3, unlike other
edge routers that are "mainly designed to route IP packets."
Nortel’s MPE
design will support IP-VPN, ATM, Frame Relay, VPLS, Ethernet and
broadband aggregation services for both the consumer and the
business market. On the network reliability issue, Nortel is
promising "Voice-Grade Reliability applied to all
services" based on provides non-stop routing, hitless
software upgrades, rollbacks and patching features. A separate
Gigabit Ethernet control plane is separately from the data path.
On the scalability front, Nortel said its architecture offers a
"pay-as-you-grow" approach that lets service providers
add capacity via in-service, upgradeable, multi-processor
control plane.
The first product in the series will be the MPE 9500, which is
positioned for medium to large central offices. It features a
mid-plane design with 40 Gbps or 80 Gbps of throughput.
Commercial availability is slated for Q4. The company is
also developing a smaller, 20 Gbps MPE 9200 version aimed at
smaller POPs.
Standards-based north-bound interfaces are provided for
integration with existing OSS and network management systems.
Additional management and reporting features could be linked
into existing Passport WAN networks.
Lab trials are currently underway at Equant. TELUS and Infonet
also intend to conduct trials.
Regarding its recent partnership announcement with Avici Systems,
Nortel Networks described the new MPE 9000 family as
complementary to the core routing platforms provided by Avici. http://www.nortelnetworks.com
