Gigabit Ethernet over TDM Aggregation Gateway

RAD's Egate-100 Gigabit Ethernet over TDM gateway transports Gigabit Ethernet traffic over channelized STM-1/OC-3 or three DS3 lines. Part of RAD’s EtherAccess® portfolio, it leverages widely available PDH/SDH/ SONET networks to deliver carrier-class Ethernet Private Line (EPL) services to sites where native Ethernet is not available at granular rates, from a fractional E1/T1 to bonded n x E1/T1 channels. The Egate-100 supports NG-PDH encapsulation and bonding standards, such as generic framing procedure (GFP), virtual concatenation (VCAT) and link capacity adjustment scheme (LCAS).

 

The Egate-100 Gigabit Ethernet over TDM gateway is typically deployed in a central location to aggregate Ethernet user traffic received from a large number of remote units, such as RAD’s RICi Ethernet demarcation devices, providing a complete access solution from the service provider central site to the customer premises.

• Leverages widely available PDH/SDH/SONET networks to deliver carrier-class Ethernet services to sites where native Ethernet is not available

• Optimizes line utilization and throughput with dynamic bandwidth allocation and reduced latency

• Single-box solution simplifies operations and reduces equipment costs, by replacing expensive STM-1/OC-3 routers and converter rack multi-box solutions

• Lower operating costs with device scalability, smaller footprint and low power consumption

• Enables transparent Ethernet services utilizing VLAN tagging, stacking and switching

• Carrier grade services and SLA verification with Ethernet OAM attributes

• Power and port redundancy ensure increased service availability

Ethernet services are relatively lower cost per Megabit than other access options, but they do not reach all locations. Part of RAD’s EtherAccess product suite, the Egate-100 Gigabit Ethernet over TDM aggregation gateway leverages widely available PDH/SDH/SONET networks to deliver carrier-class Ethernet services to sites where native Ethernet is not available. This enables carriers to generate new revenue streams from existing infrastructure, or expand out-of-region network coverage by leasing lower-cost transmission lines as an alternative to laying new infrastructure. Enterprises and utilities are able to take advantage of available SDH/SONET transport for new Ethernet-based applications.

 

The Egate-100 is MEF-9 certified to deliver Ethenret Private Line services with Carrier Ethernet service support, including differentiated quality of service (QoS) and Ethernet OAM for SLA (Service Level Agreement) enforcement.

The Egate-100 can connect up to:

• 60 remote LANs over nxE1/T1 circuits, with MLPPP or with GFP, VCAT and LCAS

• 63 or 84 remote LANs over E1 or T1 circuits, respectively

• 126 remote LANs over fractional E1/T1 circuits

 

This unique capability enables service providers and enterprises to provide Carrier Ethernet services at granular rates from fractional E1 or T1 to high bandwidth n x E1/T1 channels.

 

Since the Egate-100 functions as a bridge operating over an SDH/SONET environment, service providers can achieve a seamless interconnection between customers connected over TDM networks and customers connected over packet-switched networks, while maintaining the same service attributes.

 

In order to ensure higher service uptime, the Egate-100 features dual Gigabit Ethernet ports with Link Aggregation according to 802.3ad, and dual STM-1/OC-3 ports with 1+1 (MSP/APS) protection. The Egate-100 supports differentiated services by classifying user traffic according to VLAN priority field (802.1p), DSCP and IP Precedence.

 

The device supports single segment OAM based on 802.3-2005 (formerly 802.3ah), allowing for remote management and fault indication, including connectivity check and remote loopback.

The GFP, VCAT and LCAS standard protocols allow service providers to dynamically allocate bandwidth to their customers by simply changing the number of E1 or T1 links bonded to the virtual group, without the need to change the device or stop the service. By incorporating these enhanced capabilities, the Egate-100 enables higher user throughput, reduces delays and minimizes service disruptions.

The Egate-100 associates a bridge port and a TDM interface (e.g. a bundle of time slots, a clear channel E1/T1 or a group of bonded E1/T1 channels), in effect creating a virtual port interconnecting the packet and the TDM networks. Using VLAN tagging and stacking (Q-in-Q) capabilities, a special provider VLAN is added to the user traffic. This allows transporting the user traffic transparently, keeping all the user VLAN settings intact, and enables a seamless hand-off to the packet network.

The Egate-100 features flexible management capabilities, including local management via an ASCII terminal (RS-232). In addition, remote management can be performed either inband or out-of-band, using the network or user ports, or the dedicated management port, while maintaining separation between management and user traffic via the use of VLANs. Advanced FCAPS (Fault, Configuration, Accounting, Performance, Security) and diagnostic tools are provided by RADview-EMS, RAD’s carrier-class element management system, via a Web browser.

 

The Egate-100 also supports a variety of access channels, including Telnet, SNMP, Web server, and TFTP. Incorporated security features include Secure Shell (SSH), Web-based Secure Socket Layer (SSL), SNMPv3, and RADIUS.

 

The Egate-100 supports Syslog (RFC3164), to enable system logs to be forwarded to the network according to predefined criteria.

 

Egate-100 is a compact, 1U-high, 19-inch wide, stand-alone device in a metal enclosure. Its channelized STM-1/OC-3 uplinks are available with SFP optical and electrical modules. DS3 ports are available with coax interfaces. The Gigabit Ethernet ports are available with 10/100/1000BaseT or 1000BaseSX/LX interface. Power supplies include one or two AC or DC.

 

The Egate-100 is also available in a NEBS-compliant enclosure.