Multiservice Edge

Telecommunications Americas, July-August, 2004

Nortel Networks

www.nortelnetworks.com

Watch out Juniper and Cisco, there's a new kid in the multiservice edge space, and its name is Nortel Networks. In a market the Yankee Group pegs to grow to $4.3 billion by 2008, the multiservice edge is becoming the carrier's focus for new revenue generation. So, it should be no surprise that Nortel wants a piece of that pie. It is finally unveiling its long awaited multiservice edge vision with the release of the MPE (Multiservice Provider Edge) 9000 product family. Combining the functionality of an edge router, BRAS (broadband remote access server), IP services multiservice WAN switch, and an Ethernet switch, the MPE 9000 family, which consists of the MPE 9200 and the MPE 9500, can certainly claim the title of Godbox.

However, unlike previous permutations that tried to incorporate all functions, including optical, Nortel's MPE is focused on the integration of Layers 2/3. Ideal for smaller COs and wireless networks, the MPE 9200 can scale from 2.5 Gbps to 20 Gbps, with eight units fitting into a standard rack. The MPE 9500, which is suited for medium to large COs, can scale from an initial 40 Gbps to 80 Gbps of capacity.

Taking advantage of the fact that service providers are looking to expand their offerings beyond commodity bit pipes, the MPE 9000 family can integrate Layer 2/3 services, e.g., IP-VPNs, ATM, frame relay, or Ethernet, over one converged IP/MPLS-based device.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Beyond speeds and feeds, the MPE series also includes a scaleable control plane and OA&M (operations, administration and maintenance) system, two critical components central to the deployment of any multiservice edge network device. OA&M capabilities will not only interoperate with an existing Cisco network, but also an existing Nortel Passport WAN network. By incorporating control and data planes that can scale independently, carriers can expand the MPE's capabilities in a pay-as-you-grow fashion. Although the platform won't be available until Q4 2004, the vendor has announced that three major operators--Equant, Infonet and Telus--have all announced their intention to begin trials of the product.