MRV Releases All-In-One WDM, Ethernet, MPLS Platform

Building on its experience in Ethernet switching, MRV Communications Inc. announced at SUPERCOMM the rollout of its OptiSwitch 9000 series of metro Ethernet platforms that combine Ethernet with WDM and IP/MPLS. The OptiSwitch 9000 offers a smooth migration from physical WDM to carrier Ethernet and to MPLS services via remote network management without changing the hardware.

“The same device can operate on three layers,” says Zeev Draer, MRV product manager. “One is Layer 1 mode as a cross-connect for DWDM or CWDM based on Ethernet connectivity. The second one is Layer 2 mode based on Ethernet service aggregation with WDM. Layer 2.5 mode is for MPLS.

Draer says carriers can roll out services based on the first mode, and go to the second and third using the same equipment. “It reduces the technical risk, it gets more services in a gradual implementation and everything is on the same equipment,” he says.

The first released model, called the OS9024-4C, features telco front-loadable and hot-swappable elements including 24 optical GigE ports, WDM (up to 8 channels) and dual redundant power supplies. Notably, four of the 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports are combination copper/fiber (SFP or GbE RJ45). “The last ports are dual-mode ports as either RJ45 for short-distance copper lines connected to servers or local lines, or it can be connected with SFPs for the optical extension,” says Draer. “Something that is that completely unique is not only the gigabit SFPs, but the 100mbps [Fast Ethernet] SFPs. Usually if you have gigabit SFP, the port will only take gigabit pluggables. In the design we offer, you can plug the 100mbps SFPs.”

The WDM slot on the OptiSwithc 9000 also is upgradable to support DWDM and 10-Gigabit Ethernet connectivity. XFPs for DWDM will be rolled out in the next few months, Draer says.

Aside from the OS9024-4C , two other models are specified: the OS9024FX-4GC, which offers an additional 24 100BaseX port and 4 10/100/1000Base-T copper/fiber combination ports, and the OS9024-12C, which offers 12 1000BaseX SFP copper/fiber combination ports.

The OS9000 series routers have a 2 ru form factor that can be used in MTU/MDU basements, street cabinets and telco COs.

Draer says some of the applications suited to the OptiSwitch9000 are traffic aggregation from IP DSLAMs to the core, wavelength cross-connect for private lines and neighborhood nodes for delivery of VoD.

The OS9024-4C model is generally available and in trials with several European carriers; U.S. trials will begin in mid-June.

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