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When discussing communications technology, we often hear (and often utter)
the word, "edge." So often, in fact, that we risk dulling the
word, rendering it less incisive. But words may be reclaimed, analogies
sharpened, and concepts scraped clean of the accretions of marketspeak.
Such was my experience with the word, "edge." I had tired of
hearing it. Edge routers. Intelligence migrating to the edge (or not). The
edge of the core, if you can imagine such a thing. Edge this and edge
that, as the press releases gathered around me, as the briefings filled my
schedule, and as the Web pages thickened my browser's history folder.
But then I saw "edge" in a new context, and the word came to
life again, and so did my enthusiasm for the ever-shifting edges in the
evolving communications space. The word was restored when I least expected
it, while I was visiting an aquarium, which had staged an exhibit entitled
(yes, you guessed correctly) "Life On The Edge."
The exhibit described how life proliferates at any sort of edge, between
air and sea, between warm and cool ocean currents, between the crenellated
world of the reef and the openness of the ocean. Such interfaces are where
life gathers most densely, and with the greatest variety. It is also where
life competes most fiercely.
Analogously, technological innovation thrives at various edges, between IP
and PSTN networks, between access and transport (and enhanced applications
and services), and between the customer premises and the service provider.
And, as in nature, the competition is fierce. And, more than that, the
competition instigates a complex web of relationships. No mere war of all
against all, but rather a profusion of survival strategies, many of which
emphasize cooperation, in the form of partnerships, alliances, and the
support (however qualified) of standards and open interfaces.
Given this admittedly counterintuitive (but real) component to competition
-- this tendency towards reconciliation -- it shouldn't be too surprising
to hear tell of mediation. I refer to what some call services mediation
platforms. While they may differ in architectural details, these platforms
all mediate in the sense that they are designed to link customers to
transport networks (and, potentially, the providers of enhanced services
therein), irrespective of access or transport technology. These platforms
are essentially clusters of interfaces meant to accommodate various access
types (PBXs, CPE routers, IADs), signaling schemes, and network protocols
(TDM, IP, ATM).
They represent, if you will, the networking equivalent of a reef,
attracting and supporting an ever denser profusion of life -- or, rather,
innovation. Already we are seeing swirling schools of IADs on the access
side. Perhaps, soon, we will see an attendant rise in telephony ASPs, on
the services side. In any case, it is a lively scene just below the
surface, as a review of this month's section will reveal.
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Next-Gen Services News
BroadSoft Introduces Service Delivery And Creation Suite
BroadSoft announced a service delivery and creation system designed to
enable integrated communications providers to offer their customers
user-friendly enhanced telephony services. The delivery system includes
call waiting, voice mail, conferencing, auto-attendant, and follow-me
services. The creation system is an open, standards-based platform that
enables development of custom services which can be created by BroadSoft,
the service provider, or even third-party developers.
No. 534, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
NMS Unveils Multi-Function Access Platform
Natural MicroSystems announced a new multi-access "edge"
platform for accelerating the deployment and management of next-generation
IP voice/data application services. The platform is notable for delivering
"any to any" voice connectivity for all analog and packet voice
input devices, along with CoS and QoS for voice and data traffic over IP.
Supporting the industry's widest array of WAN, LAN, and remote access
voice/data connectivity, the platform also protects investment in legacy
equipment by ensuring complete worldwide integration with the PSTN. The
platform is based on NMS' Fusion/CG6000C, a highly available voice over
packet network (VoPN) hardware and software platform, and PolicyPoint, a
multi-purpose traffic classification engine for the aggregation and
management of traffic between the public network and the enterprise. NMS'
new access platform is also supported by Natural Access, the company's
development and runtime environment that delivers application portability
by providing a consistent set of APIs that are operating
system-independent.
No. 535, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
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Q & A With Dave Michaud Of
Taqua Systems
Q: What is the advantage to the service provider offered by a
next-generation Class 5 access switching platform?
A: There is no single advantage, but several advantages that work
together to provide a new model -- technologic and economic -- for
CLECs to deliver telecommunications services to subscribers. The new
platforms offer CLECs an open, flexible, and cost-effective
alternative to traditional large, expensive Class 5 switches. The
architecture of next-generation switches empowers service providers
with a clear, easy-to-deploy migration path to next-generation
network technologies. Conversely, closed, proprietary legacy Class 5
switches would require costly "forklift" upgrades,
representing a stranded investment for the service provider.
Q: What is the difference between a legacy Class 5 switch and a Class
5 edge switching platform?
A: It's all about being prepared for the future. Next-generation
Class 5 switches offer service providers a bridge from the
traditional, closed Class 5 switch architectures to the open
networks of the future, enabling carriers to take advantage of
emerging technologies such as VoDSL, VoIP, and VoATM.
Next-generation Class 5 switches represent a change in the
networking landscape that is similar to the effect PCs had on
mainframe technology. By placing true Class 5 access switch
functionality at the edge of the network, legacy proprietary
centralized switching environments are transformed into a network of
distributed, intelligent, highly available switches.
Q: What is the biggest challenge in convincing next-generation
service providers that an edge switching platform will satisfy their
requirements?
A:Service providers are stuck with traditional big iron switches.
They are accustomed to a room full of equipment. So, when they're
confronted with a platform that provides extensive Class 5
functionality on one card, they're quite taken aback. The power of
the new platforms takes a little getting used to.
Our thanks to Dave Michaud, chairman and CEO of Taqua Systems,
for his responses. For more information, visit www.taqua.com. [
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Netopia, VocalData To Offer IP Centrex Over DSL
Netopia, a provider of DSL Internet equipment and e-commerce Web
platforms, and VocalData, a provider of IP local exchange softswitches,
announced a partnership, the purpose of which is to combine their product
offerings, providing an IP Centrex and local exchange solution over DSL.
According to the partners, their solution will enable the bundling of
toll-quality voice with IP voice and data services over a single DSL
connection, which will provide new opportunities for service providers,
and cost-effective communications solutions for small business.
No. 536, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
Lucent Introduces Portfolio Of Enhanced Services
Lucent Technologies announced new enhanced services and a softswitch-based
application server for its PacketIN suite of software for converged
networks. These services are enabled by Lucent's PacketIN Application
Server, a software-hosting platform driven by Lucent's softswitch
technology. The application server is designed to allow carriers to offer
enhanced voice and data services across both packet and circuit networks.
The services include calling card services and the Network Contact Center,
which enables network-based routing of multi-media contacts. Lucent also
is introducing a new IP-based, softswitch-enabled version of its Online
Communications Center with Internet call waiting.
No. 537, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
CopperCom And DTI Networks Merge
With the merger of CopperCom and DTI, CopperCom extends its VoDSL offering
to include differentiated voice services at a greatly reduced cost.
According to CopperCom, it is now positioned to move beyond an emphasis on
transport by expanding its service provider offerings to include local
exchange switching, standard voice calling features, and personalized
calling features.
No. 538, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
Mapletree Facilitates Design Of VoDSL Gateways
Mapletree Networks announced VoDSL support for its UniPorte architecture
that simplifies the design and deployment of VoDSL gateways. Implemented
as a software upgrade to Mapletree's Uniporte-based MTN1000 Universal
Access Modules, the new software makes it easy to build low-cost,
high-density VoDSL and VoIP gateways that enable DSL service providers to
offer low-cost voice service.
No. 539, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
TollBridge Intros Cable Initiative
TollBridge Technologies announced a development and marketing initiative
to add DOCSIS-standard cable to the growing list of network architectures
supported by its products. The initiative centers on a new software module
for the company's TB200 Local Exchange Gateway, enabling it to communicate
with standards-based cable modems and access equipment.
No. 540, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
Unisphere, UForce Partner For New Advanced Services
Unisphere Solutions and UForce announced a partnership allowing
telecommunications carriers and ISPs to create and deploy advanced
communications services on converged voice and data networks. The two
companies will integrate UForce's U-Builder service creation environment
with Unisphere's SMX-2100 Service Mediation Switch and SRX-3000 Softswitch,
for a solution for the creation and deliver of new IP-based voice/data
services. According to Unisphere, its voice mediation solutions provide
the distributed architecture required for delivering services created by
third-party developers such as UForce.
No. 541, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
Xybridge Launches Universal Services Suite
Xybridge Technologies announced its Universal Services Suite, a family of
carrier-class, software-based switching solutions designed to give service
providers flexibility in designing their networks. The company also
announced the availability of TollXchange, a service solution designed
specifically for Internet call bypass in interexchange applications. The
new services suite bridges IP-based networks and circuit-switched
networks, providing a platform for delivering traditional telephony
services as well as creating enhanced IP-based services. The suite
provides network-independent service and call control across a variety of
access networks (wireless, cable, xDSL, POTS). In addition, because it is
Java-based, the suite runs on Unix, Windows NT, or Linux platforms.
No. 542, www.comsolmag.com/freeinfo
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Partnerships Move Innovations Forward
BY GUY CHENARD
The rapid pace of innovation in the communications industry combined with
the proliferation of young companies developing specialized core
competencies is changing the competitive landscape for vendors of
carrier-class equipment. It is no longer possible for a single vendor to
provide an end-to-end network solution that meets the interoperability and
Quality of Service (QoS) requirements of today's carriers.
The solution for most equipment vendors is to establish partnerships that
revolve around the development of open systems. This approach allows each
vendor to focus on the core competency that they bring to the partnership,
and develop a best-in-class product for a particular segment of the
network. The result and benefit for carriers is an end-to-end solution
comprising industry-leading products.
For several years, the ATM Forum has been developing standards for
integrating voice, data, and video traffic and providing guaranteed QoS on
a common network. The increasing demand for and benefits of IP-centric
services has sparked similar efforts within the IETF and other industry
forums such as the MPLS Forum, the Softswitch Consortium, and the ITU.
More than ever, vendors are creating partnerships to provide end-to-end
solutions for delivering IP-based voice, data, video, and VPN services
over multi-service networks.
Only by working together through partnerships will vendors enable carriers
to build seamless, interconnected IP networks that span both access and
fiber-based core infrastructures. These types of IP networks are now
within reach. Emerging standards including VoIP, DiffServ, IntServ, MGCP,
and MPLS, all of which are evolving through vendor partnerships, will
provide the carrier-class levels of quality and reliability required to
support multiple services on these new networks. It is ultimately through
cooperation and partnerships that vendors will succeed in helping carriers
replace legacy infrastructures with new-generation networks.
Guy Chenard is vice president of Business Development for Integral
Access. He can be reached at [email protected]. For more
information, visit the company's Web site at www.integralaccess.com.
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| Service Provider On The Edge
BY JOSEPH ELCHAKIEH
A service provider's competitive success depends on the prompt
deployment of new services and service bundles, including high-value
voice, data, and Internet services. To do so cost-effectively, providers
will need to address the area identified by many as the linchpin to
success -- the access network.
Currently, most network intelligence resides in the core of a service
provider's access network, primarily co-located in the incumbent's central
office -- an inefficient configuration. Service providers are now
realizing the benefits of a single, end-to-end network architecture that
pushes intelligence to the edges of the access network, at the customer
premises and the point of presence.
By conducting key management functions at the network edge (such as
subscriber management, traffic management, security, and quality of
service assurance) bandwidth that is normally dedicated to authentication
and accounting is liberated, allowing a service provider to more easily
provision, manage, and scale the network. As a result, providers will be
able to offer higher-value services with speed and efficiency. Edge
intelligence also allows for more secure transport of information,
authenticating it at the customer site and ensuring that unauthorized
traffic does not enter the network.
In addition, a unified, services-aware access network platform enables
service providers to:
- Consolidate disparate network elements associated with integrated voice,
data, and Internet services, substantially reducing the number of
resources typically allocated for management and provisioning functions.
- Reduce capital costs and lower maintenance and operation costs.
- Leverage existing network infrastructure, be it cable, wireless, T1, or
DSL.
- Leverage the strengths and sophistication of IP, ATM, or frame relay
infrastructures by providing a services-aware point of convergence.
The key to understanding the access network and its importance to a
service provider's success is in direct relation to how one views the
network. It is imperative that service providers begin to shift their
business model from a network-centric to a customer-centric one, utilizing
services-aware capabilities.
Joseph Elchakieh is the founder, president and CEO of Sedona Networks.
For more information, visit www.sedonanetworks.com. [
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| The Winning Edge In The Broadband Access
Race
BY KAREN LIVOLI
The broadband access market is hotly contested as traditional dial-up
users eagerly embrace high-speed xDSL and cable access. The contestants --
the service providers who would dominate this lucrative market -- cannot
afford a misstep, particularly when it comes subscriber management, which
becomes especially critical in large-scale broadband access rollouts.
Subscriber management choices come down to two platform types:
- Adjunct approach: Subscriber management platform that requires an
additional router to carry traffic to the core.
- Integrated approach: Full-featured, carrier-class IP aggregation router
that connects directly to the core network and contains all the necessary
subscriber management features.
The adjunct solution was developed in an effort to offload subscriber
management tasks from legacy, software-based, performance-limited routers.
In a real-life network installation, the adjunct subscriber management
product sits in front of the first Internet router, requiring two
products: a subscriber concentrator and an Internet router to connect to
the backbone network.
In contrast, next-generation, integrated IP aggregation solutions have the
processing power to handle full routing and subscriber management
functions, all at wire-speed. These functions are reunited into a single
edge device, which eases deployment and management, while including all of
the legacy management functionality of the adjunct solution. An integrated
solution facilitates network management, simply because it will always be
easier to manage and maintain a solution that uses a single management
system.
The integrated approach has other advantages. For example, due to its
architectural limits, the adjunct solution cannot scale to add support for
Tier-1 class routing protocols such as BGP, IS-IS, and carrier-grade OSPF.
Adjunct systems were not built to be carrier-class products, and as such,
they lack the redundancy or scalability inherent in the integrated IP
aggregation solution. (This is an important distinction for service
providers planning large-scale deployments of xDSL access.)
Also, an integrated solution has the ability to deliver multiple services
off a single platform, with private line aggregation support for FT1/E1
through OC3 users as well as the above mentioned broadband access
aggregation. For the service provider, the integrated approach means that
a single edge device can support either application to fit the needs of
the subscribers at that POP. (This is an important distinction, especially
in the CLEC space, where co-location costs can be greatly reduced by
utilizing an integrated solution.)
Karen Livoli is product marketing manager at Unisphere Solutions. For
more information, please visit www.unispheresolutions.com. [
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