Riverstone Introduces Next-Gen 10gigE Router

Riverstone Networks (riverstonenet.com) today unveils a 10 gigabit Ethernet router called the RS 38000 that combines the best of Ethernet and SONET using a new technology known as RPR.

RPR is based on the IEEE 802.17 standard. It offers the 50-millisecond fail over resiliency of SONET, but not SONET's heavy overhead or the extra, idle fiber connection required for redundant rings. RPR also offers the lightweight framing, easy manageability, and plug and play aspects of Ethernet, explains Andrew Feldman, vice president of corporate marketing and corporate development for Riverstone.

RPR also statistically multiplexes traffic for bandwidth gain. Today, one OC192 can be divided in OC48s because SONET is point to point. But RPR makes use of idle bandwidth on the fiber to enable a network operator to get more than 200 OC48s off an OC192.

"You need to get services not just on next-gen networks but on existing networks," Feldman says. "If you want big customers you've got to have SONET in your box. You get them to next-gen services by showing them a next-gen path."

The company also has built MPLS functionality into the router's hardware, rather into the software as most systems do, in order to realize "10x acceleration."

"You get a dramatic improvement of performance," notes Feldman, adding that the router is based on a 170-gigabit switching fabric.

The introduction of RS 38000 also spotlights a new method of bandwidth carving, Feldman says. Each card on the router can support up to 2,000 different customers with bandwidth needs ranging from T1 to OC192.

The product, for which New York-based metro Ethernet service provider Intellispace is the first customer, begins shipping this week.

Base configurations start at $75,000 and include the chassis, power, control modules, software and a few gigabit Ethernet ports. High-port density gigabit Ethernet configurations will run between $125,000 and $190,000, and support up to 120 gigabit Ethernet ports, or 480 10/100 ports. High port density SONET OC48c and 10 gigabit Ethernet will run between $200,000 and $300,000 and supports up to 30 OC48c or up to six 10-gigabit Ethernet ports.

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