RAD Data Communications (News - Alert), a manufacturer of high quality access and backhaul equipment for data communications and telecommunications applications, announced the launch of ETX-5300A Ethernet Service Aggregation Platform that conforms to Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF (News - Alert)) CE 2.0 specifications.

The new ETX-5300A Ethernet Service Aggregation Platform, in combination with RAD’s popular demarcation NTUs (NIDs), offers a complete Carrier Ethernet ecosystem, company officials said. The solution has the ability to aggregate up to 80 GbE or 16 10GbE access links into redundant 10 GbE ports.

ETX-5300A’s powerful hierarchical traffic management features increase service efficiency along with wholesale carrier-to-carrier ENNI connectivity for end-to-end network visibility and service mapping, as well as legacy TDM capabilities.

The solution frees up expensive PE capacity and significantly reduces CapEx and OpEx by cutting the price per link by half, or more, when working opposite RAD’s ETX Carrier Ethernet demarcation devices. It can also be deployed to deliver SLA-based business Ethernet services.

“It’s almost magic what our engineers were able to do with this device,” said Amir Karo, vice president of Marketing at RAD Data Communications, in a statement. “RAD has applied its wide experience and technological expertise in access networks to design a central-site Carrier Ethernet solution tailor-made for pre-aggregation in larger networks but equally able to be deployed as a service hub in smaller operations or private networks.”

The new Ethernet Service Aggregation Platform delivers full-blown functionality and high port capacity. It comes packaged in a small-form factor box. The Ethernet solution, the company claims, consumes less than half the power than any competitive product in the market.

The high port density, hierarchical traffic management features, synchronization solution set, 10GE ring support, and smooth service and network management integration with other Ethernet access platforms in RAD’s portfolio are designed to meet the needs of network operators looking to address a variety of applications.In another related development Patton (News - Alert) Electronics announced the newest member of its SmartNode VoIP family, which will be officially launched in May this year.

The company has already begun to take orders for the 8-to-24-call SmartNode 4670 BRI/FXS/FXO VoIP Integrated Access Device (IAD) with built-in G.SHDSL broadband access. The company is offering up to 20 percent discounts to new customers untill April 30, depending on order quantity and timing.