Verizon to Deploy Cisco CRS-3 for 100G Edge Access

Verizon will deploy Cisco’s CRS-3 Carrier Routing System platform to terminate 100G connections closer to the network edge and customer’s network facilities. Specifically, Verizon will deploy the CRS-3 platform in the first half of 2012 to provide 100G edge access to the IP network and upgrade its FiOS core network. Verizon has relied on Cisco’s CRS-1 platform in the network for more than four years, allowing the company to easily transition to the CRS-3 platform, thereby simplifying network operations while enabling comprehensive system redundancy and network resiliency. The upgrade will occur in selected U.S. markets, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York and Seattle. Financial terms were not disclosed.

“We’re constantly seeking to improve the Verizon IP network to support traffic growth, improve performance and increase functionality,” said Ihab Tarazi, vice president of global IP and transport planning and technology for Verizon. “Upgrading the network using Cisco’s CRS-3 platform provides better scale and expanded capabilities that support traffic growth areas such as broadband access and content delivery.” http://www.verizon.com http://www.cisco.com

• In April 2011, Cisco announced a set of new capabilities for the CRS-3 platform, including flexible packet-transport — a form of label switching enabled with the addition of a blade. Packet-transport broadens the platform’s reach into new markets while protecting service providers’ current investments in the core. It also complements the Cisco Carrier-Grade IPv6 functionality and data center capabilities like Network Positioning System (NPS), cloud VPN, and classical Internet Protocol/Multiprotocol Label Switching routing.