SUPERCOMM, CHICAGO, June 21, 2004 -
Mahi Networks, a leading supplier of multi-service optical transport, grooming, and packet switching solutions, will introduce Mi7 R1.5 system enhancements at Supercomm in Chicago, IL on June 24. This hardware and software release enhances the suite of data functionality currently available on the Mi7 Multi-Service Core Aggregation System (MCAS). When combined with the Mi7’s market-leading multi-vendor SONET and SDH ring aggregation capabilities, R1.5 enables carriers to deliver differentiated mass-market layer one data transport and layer two packet switched and statistically multiplexed data services over their embedded SONET infrastructure without the need for a separate data overlay network.
Mahi is delivering three key “industry first” innovations with R1.5:
- The Mi7 PPXTM server card: The industry’s first shared, and fully protected wire-speed L2 processor card for an MCAS class device. The PPX server card enables carriers to incrementally add non-blocking packet processing as a system resource that is shared across any of the STS1s in the Mi7 broadband cross connect matrix. The fully integrated PPX leverages the Mi7’s dual mode packet-based architecture, eliminating the need for adjunct packet-processing boxes and costly inter-machine trunking.
- The industry’s first X.86 LAPS to G.7041 GFP inter-working gateway network element (GNE), and proven X.86 and GFP multi-vendor interoperability for extended Ethernet Private Line service reach across today’s heterogeneous embedded and emerging base of metro Ethernet-over-SONET/SDH metro edge devices.
- Scalability enhancements to Mahi’s field-proven multi-vendor SONET/SDH ring aggregation (SRA) with full IP/OSI DCC inter-working GNE capability. Mi7 R1.5 extends Mahi’s technology leadership in multi-vendor SRA with scalability of up to 256 subtended and protected SONET/SDH rings, and 4096 uniquely addressable subtended third party ADM or MSPP metro edge nodes by applying advanced routing and IP control plane technology such as multi-area IS-IS and OSPF with traffic engineering extensions for topology discovery across hundreds of subtended rings and tens of nodes per subtended ring. The scalability enhancements enable Mi7 BLSR support for up to 256 rings as well.
The patented server-based design of the PPX card allows carriers to incrementally add and grow packet-processing capabilities to the Mi7 as a shared system resource to adapt to increasing data take-rates without forklift upgrade. The PPX is the industry’s first scalable L2 resource that provides protected packet processing for any SONET or DS3 channel entering the Mi7, and is capable of aggregating and switching Ethernet frames between X.86 DS3/STS channels, GFP STS channels, and GbE interfaces in a full logical mesh normally found only in L2/L3 core switches at either layer one or layer two.
“Mi7 R1.5 is a direct result of close collaboration with several major carriers,” said Chris Rust, CEO and president of Mahi Networks. “R1.5 advances Mahi’s current technology leadership position in intelligent transport optimization via L1/L2 integration, and provides the enabling technology solution for a broad-based transition from L1 Ethernet-over-TDM networks to true multi-service networks with converged L1 transport and L2 packet switching capabilities. The introduction of Mahi’s R1.5 marks a significant step forward for carriers that must optimize today’s mission critical DS3 to OC192 TDM and data-over-TDM transport services, while capitalizing on the substantial revenue growth opportunities of the statistically multiplexed and packet switched multi-service future.”
This advancement in multi-service network capabilities and enhanced data service delivery is enabled by Mahi’s dual-mode packet matrix, and is not available from legacy MCAS’s that use traditional STS or VT-based cross-connect fabrics.
“Mahi started out deploying the Mi7 to address dense aggregation of SONET ADMs, reducing CapEx and OpEx costs and ensuring seamless integration into carriers’ existing networks,” said Dave Dunphy, Principal Analyst of Optical Infrastructure with Current Analysis. “Release 1.5 strengthens Mahi’s competitive position by giving them GFP interoperability and on-board packet processing. Combined with the wide DCC interoperability MAHI already had, this enables them to support differentiated Ethernet services in multi-vendor SONET environments.”
R1.5 also supports the following L1 and L2 Ethernet features:
- Up to 256 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) interfaces per Mi7, supporting Ethernet Private Line (EPL) services over existing SONET, SDH, and DS3 networks
- IEEE 802.3ad Link Aggregation and mapping of Ethernet dataflows into SONET, SDH, and DS3 channels via ITU-T X.86 LAPS and G.7041 GFP framing protocols.
- 802.1Q VLAN tagging, 802.1ad QinQ tag stacking, 802.3ad GbE link protection, switch configuration reporting, dynamic VLAN profiles, and full function L2 VLAN virtual circuit cross-connection of up to 64,000 unique packet flows.
- Rate policing on a per-flow basis in 10 Mbps granularity, IEEE 802.3x flow control, and multiple traffic priorities to enable value-based service pricing models and deterministic SLA enforcement.
- Industry-first implementation of link/equipment protection and facility protection switching. Mahi’s 802.1ad implementation has no restriction of the GbE port location in the system, and does not require physical adjacency. This feature significantly simplifies the carrier planning and port allocation efforts, and provides better utilization of available GbE ports for up to 256 ports per system.
About Mahi Networks
Mahi Networks, Inc. develops and markets multi-service metro transport and switching platforms that enhance the business models of service providers worldwide. Mahi's Mi7 and Vx7 products, integrated intelligent control plane, advanced network management platforms, and easy to use network planning tools provide industry-leading packet and TDM integration with fully automated optical services. Mahi couples its innovative technology with flexible applications that enable service providers to efficiently manage the transition to a simpler, lower cost, and converged infrastructure, thereby enabling accelerated service fulfillment and significantly greater value creation for service providers and their stockholders. Mahi Networks, Mi7, Vx7 and the Mahi Networks logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Mahi Networks, Inc. in the United States and\or other countries. For more information please visit www.mahinetworks.com.
