Traverse Product Overview - Force10...Traverse 1600 The Traverse 1600 platform unifies the functions of a next-generation ADM and DCS with an edge Ethernet aggregation switching in

Traverse Product OverviewRelease TR3.2.3 March 2010 Edition 1

Copyright © 2009 Force10 Networks, Inc.

All rights reserved. Force10 Networks ® reserves the right to change, modify, revise this publication without notice.

TrademarksForce10 Networks® and E-Series® are registered trademarks of Force10 Networks, Inc. Traverse, TraverseEdge, TraversePacketEdge, TransAccess, are registered trademarks of Force10 Networks, Inc. Force10, the Force10 logo, and TransNav are trademarks of Force10 Networks, Inc. or its affiliates in the United States and other countries and are protected by U.S. and international copyright laws. All other brand and product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders. Statement of ConditionsIn the interest of improving internal design, operational function, and/or reliability, Force10 Networks, Inc. reserves the right to make changes to products described in this document without notice. Force10 Networks, Inc. does not assume any liability that may occur due to the use or application of the product(s) described herein.

TRAVERSE PRODUCT OVERVIEW GUIDE

Contents

Section 1 Overview and ApplicationsChapter 1Introduction to the Traverse® Platform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1Chapter 2Multiservice SONET/SDH Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13Chapter 3IP Video Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17Chapter 4Carrier Ethernet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21Chapter 5Wireless Backhaul and Bandwidth Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29Chapter 6International Transport Gateway. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-33Chapter 7New Generation Wideband DCS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-41

Section 2 Platform DescriptionsChapter 1Traverse 2000 Platform. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1Chapter 2Traverse 1600 Platform. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7Chapter 3Traverse 600 Platform. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13Chapter 4Fan Assemblies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19Chapter 5Power Distribution and Alarm Panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-23

Section 3 Card (Module) DescriptionsChapter 1General Control Module (GCM) Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1Chapter 2Next-Generation Ethernet Cards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7Chapter 3Gigabit Ethernet-only Cards (Dual-slot) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17Chapter 4Ethernet Over PDH Cards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-29Chapter 5SONET/SDH Cards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-37Chapter 6

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Traverse Product Overview Guide

Optical Interface Specifications (Summary). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-51Chapter 7Electrical Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-55Chapter 8VT/VC Switching Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-71

Section 4 Management System OverviewChapter 1TransNav Management System Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1Chapter 2Network Management Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7Chapter 3User Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13Chapter 4Management System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19

Section 5 Planning and EngineeringChapter 1Traverse Equipment Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1Chapter 2Network Cabling using ECMs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19Chapter 3Network Cable Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27Chapter 4Protected Network Topologies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33

Section 6 AppendicesAppendix ACompliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1Appendix BNetwork Feature Compatibility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5Appendix CAcronyms and Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Index-1

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SECTION 1 OVERVIEW AND APPLICATIONSSECTION 1SYSTEM OVERVIEWSECTION 1SYSTEM OVERVIEW

Contents

Chapter 1Introduction to the Traverse® Platform

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1Force10 Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1Traverse Product Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2Traverse 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3Traverse 1600 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4Traverse 600 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5

Remote Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5Traverse Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5Distributed Switching Architecture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6Secondary Server Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6Carrier-Class Redundancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7Intelligent Control Plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7

Resource Discovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8Path Calculation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8Service Signaling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8

Traverse Operating System Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9Distributed Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9Software Upgrades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10General Control Redundancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10Hitless Control Card Reboot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10Hitless Warm Reboot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10Dependability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11Node-Level GUI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11

Complimentary TransAccess Product Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11TransAccess 200 Mux. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11

TransAccess 200 Mux Advantages: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12TransAccess 155 Mux. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12

TransAccess 155 Mux Advantages: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12

Chapter 2Multiservice SONET/SDH Transport

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13Multiservice Transport Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14Integrated DWDM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15Traverse Advantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15

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Traverse Product Overview Guide, Section 1 Overview and Applications

Chapter 3IP Video Transport

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17Force10’s IP Video Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18IP Video Aggregation and Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19Key Traverse IP Video Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19Traverse Advantages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19

Chapter 4Carrier Ethernet

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21Carrier Ethernet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22Carrier Ethernet Aggregation and Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23Key Traverse Ethernet Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23Virtual Concatenation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24Link Capacity Adjustment Scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24Generic Framing Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25Virtual Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26Link Aggregation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26Traffic Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26

Rate Limiting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26Shaping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26Congestion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27

Traverse Advantages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27

Chapter 5Wireless Backhaul and Bandwidth Management

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29Economical Multiservice Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-30Optimizing Wireless Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-31Key Traverse Wireless Backhaul Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-32Traverse Advantages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-32

Chapter 6International Transport Gateway

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-33A Global Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-33SONET and SDH Provisioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-34Broadband and Wideband Conversion and Switching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-34Electrical or Optical Transmux and Switching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-36Service Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-37International Transport Gateway Advantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-37International Transport Gateway Diagram. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-39

Chapter 7New Generation Wideband DCS

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Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-41New Generation Wideband DCS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-42Key Traverse WDCS Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-43Traverse Advantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-43

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SECTION 1 OVERVIEW AND APPLICATIONS

Chapter 1 Introduction to the Traverse® Platform

Introduction Service providers worldwide are faced with the challenge of modernizing their transport networks to accommodate new high-bandwidth IP services, such as broadband Internet access and video-on-demand, in addition to today’s revenue-generating voice and leased-line services. Force10’s multiservice optical transport platform is a next-generation solution designed specifically to meet this challenge. Deployed in carriers’ access, metro, and interoffice (IOF) networks, the Traverse platform transports and manages any combination of traditional electrical TDM and optical SONET/SDH services, as well as next-generation switched Ethernet services more efficiently and cost-effectively than legacy solutions.

This chapter includes the following topics:• Force10 Solution, page 1-1• Traverse Product Family, page 1-2• Traverse Applications, page 1-5• Distributed Switching Architecture, page 1-6• Secondary Server Support, page 1-6• Carrier-Class Redundancy, page 1-7• Intelligent Control Plane, page 1-7• Traverse Operating System Software, page 1-9• Complimentary TransAccess Product Family, page 1-11

Force10 Solution

The Force10® Traverse platform simplifies carriers’ transport networks and lowers their costs by integrating the functions of a SONET/SDH add-drop multiplexer (ADM), a digital cross-connect system (DCS), and an Ethernet switch in a single compact shelf. The Traverse platform’s design also supports a wide variety of electrical and optical service interfaces, including DS1, E1, DS3/EC-1 (Clear Channel and Transmux), E3, OC-3/STM-1, OC-12/STM-4, OC-48/STM-16, OC-192/STM-64, as well as switched Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet. This flexibility lowers carriers capital and operational expenditures by reducing the need to purchase and manage multiple separate ADM, DCS, and Ethernet switching systems, as well as the rack space and power they would require.

The Traverse platform supports standard SONET/SDH features such as comprehensive performance monitoring, VT/TU capacity monitoring, the ability to aggregate and groom TDM traffic at both wideband (STS/VC) and broadband (STS/STM)

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Traverse Product Overview Guide, Section 1: Overview and ApplicationsTraverse Product Family

granularities, and applications such as 1+1 point-to-point, linear ADM, optical hub, and protected rings.

In addition to these standard capabilities, the Traverse platform incorporates powerful Ethernet traffic management and Layer 2 Ethernet switching with advanced standards such as GFP, VCAT, LCAS, RSTP, and Link Aggregation to ensure optimized transport of IP/Ethernet traffic over SONET/SDH networks. This SONET/SDH-based, packet-optimized architecture enables the Traverse platform to integrate seamlessly with carriers’ existing networks and protect today’s investments, while laying the groundwork for future expansions into new technologies.

The Traverse platform supports a variety of carrier-class applications. The system is developed to enable solutions that service providers can implement in today’s highly competitive communications markets.

Traverse Product Family

The Force10 Networks Traverse product family is comprised of three scalable platforms optimized for deployments ranging from outside plant (OSP) cabinets and multi-tenant units (MTU) to metro and IOF environments. All three Traverse shelves, including the 20-slot Traverse 2000, the 16-slot Traverse 1600, and the 6-slot Traverse 600, are built upon the same architecture and use the same interface and control cards.• Traverse 2000, page 1-3• Traverse 1600, page 1-4• Traverse 600, page 1-5

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Chapter 1 Introduction to the Traverse® PlatformTraverse 2000

Traverse 2000 The Traverse 2000 platform is a multiservice transport system designed to simplify service provider’s networks and enable the delivery of SONET-based, SDH-based, and next-generation data services. The Traverse 2000 platform is:• A 20-slot, 23-inch wide rack-mountable shelf (four slots per 7-foot rack)• Optimized for stacked ring, metro/IOF hub switching, and transport applications• Scalable to 95 Gbps of STS/STM switching capacity with the industry’s highest

DS1/E1 to OC-192/STM-64, 10/100, and Gigabit Ethernet service densities• High-capacity wideband digital cross-connect matrix scales from 96 to 384

protected STS/STM equivalents (2688 to 10,752 VT1.5s)

Figure 1-1 Traverse 2000 Shelf

See Section 2—Platform Descriptions, Chapter 1—“Traverse 2000 Platform,” page 2-1 for the complete description and specifications for this platform.


Traverse Product Overview Guide, Section 1: Overview and ApplicationsTraverse 1600

Traverse 1600 The Traverse 1600 platform unifies the functions of a next-generation ADM and DCS with an edge Ethernet aggregation switching in a single carrier-class shelf. The Traverse 1600 is: • A 16-slot, 19-inch wide rack-mountable shelf (four slots per 7-foot rack)• Optimized for access and metro/IOF ring switching, as well as transport

applications• Scalable to 75 Gbps STS/STM switching capacity with high-density DS1/E1 to

OC-192/STM-64, 10/100 and Gigabit Ethernet service flexibility




Chapter 1 Introduction to the Traverse® PlatformTraverse Applications

Traverse 600 The Traverse 600 platform is the most a space-efficient member of the Traverse product family. The Traverse 600 is: • A compact, 6-slot, 3.72 rack-unit high shelf• Rack-mountable for deployment in access rings, MTUs, and OSP cabinets• A flexible solution offering medium density DS1/E1 to OC-48/STM-16, 10/100,

and Gigabit Ethernet services



Remote Applications

A Traverse 600 shelf can be located in remote locations such as building equipment rooms, Controlled Environmental Vaults (CEVs), walk-in cabinets, remote central offices (CO), and multiple-dwelling unit (MDU) environments. It can be installed in standard 23-inch (584 mm) wide central office racks, standard 19-inch (483 mm) wide computer racks, and can also be wall mounted.

The Traverse 600 system is powered by a -48 VDC power source (-40 to -60 VDC operating range) in central office, remote cabinet, or CEV installations. It has front access for easy installation, cable management, card insertion and removal.

Traverse Applications

The Traverse platform supports a variety of carrier-class features. The system is developed to enable solutions that service providers can implement in today’s highly competitive communications markets. • Chapter 2—“Multiservice SONET/SDH Transport,” page 1-13• Chapter 3—“IP Video Transport,” page 1-17• Chapter 4—“Carrier Ethernet,” page 1-21• Chapter 5—“Wireless Backhaul and Bandwidth Management,” page 1-29• Chapter 6—“International Transport Gateway,” page 1-33• Chapter 7—“New Generation Wideband DCS,” page 1-41


Traverse Product Overview Guide, Section 1: Overview and ApplicationsDistributed Switching Architecture

Distributed Switching Architecture

The Traverse platform implements a patent-pending distributed switching architecture that delivers flexibility and true “pay as you grow” system scalability. Within this framework, each individual Traverse card incorporates a powerful switching ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) that participates as a member of the distributed switch fabric across the Traverse platform’s fully-interconnected passive mesh backplane. This distributed switching technique allows non-blocking increases in system capacity from 2.5 Gbps up to 95 Gbps per Traverse 2000 shelf. In addition, the flexible nature of this architecture is designed to handle any combination of TDM, cell and packet transmissions with equal facility, and supports any service interface card type (e.g., optical or electrical, trunk or tributary, packet-based, or TDM-based) in any system slot.

The Traverse distributed switching ASIC performs both time slot assignment (TSA) and time slot interchange (TSI) functionality at the STS/STM level on all cards. That is, each Traverse line card can pass through, add, drop, or drop-and-continue (broadcast) traffic, including hairpinned connections.

The distributed switching architecture lowers startup costs for the Traverse platform because no centralized switch-fabric is required for the system. In addition, it allows carriers to increase the capacity of their Traverse shelf in an incremental “pay as you grow” manner by adding service cards. Customers pay only for the services and capacity they require.

Secondary Server Support

The TransNav management system supports one Primary server and up to seven Secondary servers in the network. The Primary server actively manages the network, while the secondary servers passively view the network but do not perform any management operations that would change the network. If the Primary server fails or is scheduled for maintenance, any Secondary server can be manually changed to take the Primary server role.

Critical information on the Secondary servers is synchronized with the network elements automatically in real time. This includes current provisioning, service state, alarm and event information from the Traverse nodes. To synchronize PM data, Domain user login profile, user preferences and roles, customer records, alarm acknowledgements and annotations, reports and report templates and schedules, the Primary server database must be manually exported and then imported to the Secondary server database.

Manual synchronization should be performed on a Secondary server database before it is promoted to a Primary server role. For detailed information on promoting a Secondary server, see the TransNav Management System Server Guide, Chapter 3—“Server Administration Procedures.”


Chapter 1 Introduction to the Traverse® PlatformIntelligent Control Plane

Carrier-Class Redundancy

The Traverse platform is engineered to meet the 99.999% availability levels required for carrier-grade deployments. Redundancy and fault-tolerance are built into all system functions to provide a robust and reliable service delivery platform. As a fully ANSI and ETSI capable system, the Traverse platform is both NEBS Level 3 and CE Mark compliant.

The Traverse platform supports a variety of facility and equipment protection schemes:• All optical service interface modules (SIMs or cards) support 1+1 APS, 1+1 Path,

UPSR and SNCP.• The OC-48/STM-16 and OC-192/STM-64 cards also support 2-fiber BLSRs and

MS-SPRings.• All electrical cards, including the DS1, E1, DS3/EC-1, and E3 support optional 1:N

(where N=1, 2) equipment protection.• The VT/VC switching and DS3 transmultiplexing cards support 1:N equipment

protection.• The next-generation Ethernet cards support 1:1 equipment protection on the

electrical interfaces: GbE TX and 10/100BaseTX.• The Traverse General Control Module cards (control cards) and Force10’s

next-generation Ethernet cards support 1:1 equipment protection.

All system components, including SIMs (cards), control cards, and the electrical connector modules (ECMs), are hot-swappable and easily accessible. Additionally, both hardware and software upgrades can be performed “in-service” on the Traverse platform, without interruption to existing network traffic. This capability allows the transport network to expand gracefully as new customers and service requirements are added.

Intelligent Control Plane

The Intelligent Control Plane optimizes bandwidth utilization, enables traffic engineering, and provides system management. It is extensible to support multiple technologies including wavelength, SONET/SDH, virtual tributaries, Ethernet, ATM, MPLS, IP, and all related networking services.

The Intelligent Control Plane is a logical set of connections among Traverse nodes that allows the nodes to exchange control and management information. The set of Traverse nodes that are completely interconnected by the Intelligent Control Plane is called a domain. It performs the following functions across the Traverse services network:• Resource Discovery: Learns the set of network elements, the available interfaces,

and the topology of links between those interfaces.• Path Calculation: For a particular service, calculates a path across the network

that makes efficient use of the network elements and links.• Service Signaling: Configures each network element in the path with all the

parameters needed to turn up the service.• Policy Enforcement: Guides the automatic behavior of the control plane.

The Intelligent Control Plane implements Generalized MPLS signaling methods used to establish transport connectivity in the Traverse services network. It automatically discovers neighboring nodes and interconnected links, using an Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) with Traffic Engineering (TE) extensions routing protocol.


Traverse Product Overview Guide, Section 1: Overview and ApplicationsIntelligent Control Plane

Resource Discovery

After each Traverse node initializes, it negotiates link properties with the network element at the other end of each link. This includes properties such as data formats and error monitoring. After successfully completing the negotiation, each Traverse node is able to communicate fully with its neighbors.

Next, the topology discovery protocol starts up. This protocol is simple in concept. First it learns what network elements are directly connected to its links. For instance, Traverse node A learns that Traverse node B is its neighbor. Next, it exchanges all the information it has learned with its neighbors, e.g., Traverse node A knows that Traverse node C is two hops away. At the completion of these steps, every node has learned the entire network topology. In practice, in a large network, several rounds of messages are exchanged before each Traverse node understands the complete topology. This process completes rapidly and automatically.

The topology discovery protocol (OSPF-TE) also distributes information about resource usage at each Traverse node. This information populates the traffic-engineering database that maintains a record of resource utilization and performance at each node in the network. The discovery protocol runs continuously and updates the traffic-engineering database in real time.

Using the link-state database and the traffic engineering database, the Intelligent Control Plane can find the best path to set up a circuit across the Traverse Services Network. At this point, without any human intervention, every Traverse node participating in the Intelligent Control Plane has complete knowledge of the network. The network is now ready to accept service requests.

Path Calculation

A service request is initiated by the Traverse management software sending a request to a single Traverse node—typically one of the end points of the desired service. That Traverse node searches its traffic engineering database to find the “best” path between the service end points. “Best” is defined as the path that minimizes some measure, such as number of links or network delay, while also satisfying the constraints and policies specified by the user.

The constraints provide a way for path selection without requiring manual selection. Typical constraints include:• Avoid specific nodes and links. This is used most often to achieve

failure-independent paths. Nodes and links that share some risk (such as fibers in the same conduit or central offices in the same earthquake zone) are collected into groups. Paths can be requested that draw their resources from different groups.

• Include specific nodes. A special case is to fully specify every node in the path. This can be used in cases where manual path calculation is desired.

• Meet certain delay or jitter properties.• Utilize special topologies such as SONET/SDH rings.

Service Signaling

Once a path has been selected, RSVP-TE1 signaling protocols are used to set up each Traverse node in the path. At each node, resource management is performed to ensure


Chapter 1 Introduction to the Traverse® PlatformTraverse Operating System Software

that setting up the service will allow the new service and all existing ones to meet their quality of service obligations. The path calculation takes this into account, although the traffic engineering database may be a few seconds behind the actual network utilization. Each Traverse node along the path does a final check and reserves the resources for the service. If any Traverse node cannot fulfill the service requirements, an error is generated, and all the reserved resources at other Traverse nodes in the path are released. At this point, path calculation is repeated with updated information.

Once service signaling is complete, the service can be made available to the end user. The entire process takes a matter of seconds—real-time service creation that allows service requests to begin generating revenue immediately.

The work of the Intelligent Control Plane does not stop once the service has been created—it is continually updating its traffic engineering database to deal with failures and changing network loads.

Traverse Operating System Software

The versatility and value of the Traverse system is underpinned by the advanced architecture and design of the Force10 Networks Traverse operating system software. The operating system and future extensions to it have one goal: enable service providers to rapidly conceive new service offerings, as well as quickly engineer, deploy, sell, and bill.

The Traverse operating system provides a distributed architecture with numerous redundancy and dependability features. These enable a host of benefits to carriers, among them:• Automatic card discovery• Network topology management• Numerous plug-and-play features• Scalable bandwidth (from 1.5 Mbps to 10 Gbps)• Demand-based services (ADM, DCS, IP)• Multiple network topologies (Linear, Ring, Mesh, Add-Drop)• A unified Intelligent Control Plane• Distributed networking• Scalable bandwidth with fine-grain Quality of Service management• Intelligent distributed management plane architecture

Distributed Architecture

Intelligent service provisioning and bandwidth brokering are made possible by the Traverse operating system’s distributed architecture.2 This architecture enables a large array of software features:• Control card redundancy control• IP-based control plane for neighbor discovery and connection set-up

1 Resource ReSerVation Protocol with Traffic Engineering extensions.

2 The Traverse OS resides on the control cards and the SIMs.


Traverse Product Overview Guide, Section 1: Overview and ApplicationsTraverse Operating System Software

• Equipment provisioning and alarm and performance monitoring for all cards and components

• Facility provisioning, alarm, and performance monitoring for service and timing interfaces

• STS-level and STM-level cross-connect provisioning, alarm, and performance monitoring

• VT-level and VC11/VC12-level cross-connect provisioning, alarm, and performance monitoring

• VT/TU capacity monitoring for SONET and SDH• UPSR, BLSR, SNCP, and MS-SPRing operation• 1:1 and/or 1:2 equipment protection for electrical and Ethernet cards• 1+1 APS, 1+1 MSP, 1+1 Path, and SNCP protection for SONET/SDH interfaces

Software Upgrades

You can perform upgrades to the Traverse operating system on all component cards with no impact or interference of Traverse operations and services. The upgrade feature offers either the hitless warm reboot or a cold reboot option. Software upgrades or reversions to all cards can be done locally or remotely. Traverse cards can store two complete software images to support software upgrade and reversion. A new image on any service card is backward compatible with the previous version on other service cards. Therefore, the network operator can upgrade the image of one card at a time in a Traverse shelf.

Service card configuration and provisioned services are saved in the persistent databases on the control cards. When a new or replacement service card is inserted (or a Traverse system restarts), the Intelligent Control Plane configures and provisions the persistent data. Thus, the Traverse system, network, and services return to the prior state.

General Control Redundancy

Engineered with multiple fault-tolerant and redundant components, the Traverse operating system can operate from a single general control module (GCM) card or in a system with mated control cards. In a redundant configuration, each control card has an arbiter circuit to elect active and standby modes, and to support protection switching. This functionality allows for hitless software upgrades and fault recoveries. The warm reboot feature on control cards allows for a hitless reboot (switchover the active/standby role) of control cards with integrated optic ports.

Hitless Control Card Reboot

All Traverse line cards, facilities (ports), and services (traffic) operate continuously without interruption upon control card reboot in a single or redundant (dual) control card configuration. The control card performs in-service auditing of the line cards, protection groups, services, and alarms.

Hitless Warm Reboot

The Traverse provides a hitless warm reboot function and user interface for all cards in order to restart the processor. The warm reboot is hitless to most traffic (see Note below


Chapter 1 Introduction to the Traverse® PlatformTransAccess 200 Mux

for exceptions). The card resumes its full functionality to respond to provisioning and protection switching requests within 60 seconds of the warm reboot command.

Note: A warm reboot will affect traffic for SONET/SDH transparent and Ethernet RSTP services. A warm reboot on GbE-10 cards that have LACP-enabled LAG ports can be up to a minute or more and may affect traffic.

Dependability

The Traverse operating system is built upon an industry-standard kernel, considerably enhanced by a Force10 Networks-developed software layer that provides carrier-class reliability. This implementation includes:• Dynamic service card loading and unloading• Application supervision• Network-wide inter-process communication, and other advanced features that

allow for automatic auditing of critical system resources, critical situation detection, and automatic recovery without the necessity of service card reset

• Force10 High Availability Framework, providing infrastructure for application-level data replication over a unified interface

Node-Level GUI

A node-level GUI is available to allow direct communication with a single Traverse node via a standalone Java application.

Complimentary TransAccess Product Family

Force10 Networks offers a broadband multiplexer family of products to compliment the Traverse platform:• TransAccess 200 Mux, page 1-11• TransAccess 155 Mux, page 1-12

TransAccess 200 Mux

The Force10 Networks TransAccess 200 Mux takes multiplexing to a new level of flexibility and space efficiency. Connect your T1s or E1s into a TransAccess 200 Mux and transport them as traditional T1s in an OC-3 or as E1s in an STM-1. Choose a number of multiplexing options including T1 and T3 to OC-3, T1 to VT1.5 to STS-1 to OC-3, E1 to T3 to OC-3, E1 to VT2 to STS-1 to OC-3, or E1 to TU-12 to AU3 to STM-1. The low power consumption and small footprint (2 RU) make it ideal for co-locations. A carrier-class solution, the TransAccess 200 Mux provides 1:1 redundancy on both the high-speed and drop ports for added reliability. Integrated T1/E1 testing makes fault isolation routine, and, unlike most M13 muxes, T1/E1 framing information is included to provide additional performance statistics.

Figure 1-4 TransAccess 200 Mux


Traverse Product Overview Guide, Section 1: Overview and ApplicationsTransAccess 155 Mux

TransAccess 200 Mux Advantages:

• Mux T1/E1 to STS-1/AU-3 or T3 on one card• Mux T3/STS-1/AU-3 to OC-3/STM-1 on one card• Compact and cost-effective• Easy installation, administration, and scaling• Service availability with 1:1 protection and hot-swappable cards• Advanced diagnostics• Integrated element management• 23-inch or 19-inch rack mount options• NEBS level 3, UL/C-UL, FCC Part 15, and CE Mark certified

For further information, see the TransAccess 200 Mux Operations Manual.

TransAccess 155 Mux

The Force10 Networks TransAccess 155 Mux combines the functionality of three complete M13 multiplexers with an OC-3 Add-Drop Multiplexer. At only 1 rack mounting unit in height, the Force10 Networks TransAccess 155 Mux continues Force10’s tradition of providing the densest broadband multiplexing solutions available.

The TransAccess 155 Mux is ideal for mass termination of OC-3 signals, highly-efficient intra-office transport of T1/E1s, or anywhere space is at a premium or low power consumption is a must. The TransAccess 155 Mux also supports UPSR ring deployment. T1s and E1s can be mixed within an OC-3. Extensive diagnostic and alarm features are standard. Redundancy is available for all circuitry. Internal, external, through, line, and loop timing modes are available.

Figure 1-5 TransAccess 155 Mux

TransAccess 155 Mux Advantages:

• Combines 3 T3 signals each containing 28 T1s or 21 E1s• Optical OC-3 interface at intermediate and long reach• Compact and cost-effective• Flexible configuration: Add-Drop Ring or Terminal mode• Easy installation, administration, and scaling• Service availability with 1:1 protection and hot-swappable cards• Advanced diagnostics• NEBS level 3, UL/C-UL, FCC Part 15 Class A certified

For further information, see the TransAccess 155 Mux Operations Manual.



Chapter 2 Multiservice SONET/SDH Transport

Introduction The Traverse platform combines SONET/SDH ADM and broadband digital cross-connect system (DCS) functionality to create an advanced bandwidth management system that supports true “any to any” cross-connection ability. This bandwidth management flexibility enables the system to be deployed in any combination of ring and linear topologies and provides any mix of tributary and trunk connections (DS1/E1 to OC-192/STM-64). In addition to conserving bandwidth for more efficient and cost-effective network management, this architecture effectively removes the requirement for expensive external broadband DCS in applications such as inter-connected rings.

SDH and SONET are high-speed optical communications protocols that represent the foundation of today’s global optical transport network. As a principal application, the Traverse platform provides multiservice SONET/SDH transport capabilities that serve the dual roles of an add-drop multiplexer (ADM) and a DCS.

This chapter describes the following topics: • Multiservice Transport Application, page 1-14• Integrated DWDM, page 1-15• Traverse Advantages, page 1-15


Traverse Product Overview Guide, Section 1: Overview and ApplicationsMultiservice Transport Application

Multiservice Transport Application

In multiservice SONET/SDH transport applications, the Traverse platform aggregates any combination of lower rate signals, grooming and switching them into higher-rate optical signals, or dropping them to be transported on different facilities.

Figure 1-6 Multiservice SONET/SDH Transport Application

The Traverse platform is deployable throughout service providers’ transport networks, such as those found in central offices, POPs, or remote terminals. In these carrier facilities, the Traverse system transports any combination of wideband or broadband services and circuit-based or packet-based voice, data, and video services and interconnects SONET/SDH rings all from a common platform.

Ideal for service providers looking to expand the capacity of their transport networks and evolve to support high-bandwidth IP services such as video, the Traverse platform offers significant advantages over traditional SONET/SDH solutions. In addition to supporting standard protected rings, hub, point-to-point, and linear add/drop deployments, the system’s advanced bandwidth management capability supports both uni- and bi-directional connections, drop-and-continue for dual-node ring interconnection, broadcast, and protected mesh topologies.

Traverse 2000

Traverse 1600

Traverse 1600

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TransNavmanagement

system

Traverse 600


Chapter 2 Multiservice SONET/SDH TransportTraverse Advantages

Integrated DWDM

Dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) allows multiple streams of data, each using a separate wavelength, to travel along the same fiber at the same time. DWDM multiplies the capacity of a fiber by the number of wavelengths present, allowing service providers to increase the available bandwidth in their networks without incurring the expense of adding fiber. The Traverse platform offers integrated DWDM capabilities, with OC-48/STM-16 and OC-192/STM-64 wavelengths based on the ITU grid, at spacings of 100 GHz.

Traverse Advantages

In addition to the key features, the Traverse platform offers the following advantages:• The Traverse product family addresses a wide range of applications across service

providers’ access, metro, and IOF networks.• Support for broad range of electrical and optical ANSI and ETSI interfaces: DS1,

DS3/EC-1, E1, E3, OC-3/STM-1, OC-12/STM-4, OC-48/STM-16, OC-192/STM-64, 10/100 and GbE with industry leading port densities.

• Advanced bandwidth management capabilities enable any combination of linear, ring, and inter-connected ring topologies.

• The high-capacity Traverse architecture scales to an add-drop capacity of 95 Gbps (1824 x 1824 STS-1/STM cross-connect matrix).

• Automated end-to-end service provisioning using Force10 ’s TransNav management system.

• Server redundancy with 1 Primary server supporting up to 7 Secondary servers.


Traverse Product Overview Guide, Section 1: Overview and ApplicationsTraverse Advantages



Chapter 3 IP Video Transport

Introduction ILECs, rural telephone companies in particular, are looking to complete the “triple play” of voice, video, and data services by delivering IP-based Digital Television services (IP-TV). In addition to providing traditional telephone companies an important new source of revenues, IP-TV services also enable them to compete more effectively with cable companies looking to enter the voice services business by deploying Voice over IP (VoIP) technology.

IP Multicast has emerged as a critical enabling technology for IP-TV. In this architecture, IP-Video Headend equipment distributes individual channels to viewers as IP Multicast Groups (IPMGs). Newer generation access platforms, such as IP-based DSLAMs, Broadband Loop Carriers (BLCs), and OLTs, incorporate a technique known as “IPMG snooping,” which enables viewers to change channels by dynamically adding and/or dropping them from specific multicast groups. As IP-based platforms, the standard interface for Headend equipment and newer generation access platforms is Gigabit Ethernet (GbE).

While nearly all of the focus on delivering the triple play revolves around the access network, IP-TV and IP-Video also have a significant impact on the critical technologies and systems between a services provider’s last mile infrastructure and the headend—namely the inter-office (IOF) transport network. In addition to creating very real potential of overwhelming deployed network capacity, IP-Video presents service providers with other significant challenges, such as choosing how to best integrate Ethernet within their network, selecting the optimal protection methods to employ, and determining how to ensure QoS for a likely mix of broadcast, multicast, and unicast programming.

This chapter describes the following topics: • Force10’s IP Video Transport, page 1-18• IP Video Aggregation and Transport, page 1-19• Key Traverse IP Video Features, page 1-19• Traverse Advantages, page 1-19


Traverse Product Overview Guide, Section 1: Overview and ApplicationsForce10’s IP Video Transport

Force10’s IP Video Transport

Force10 Networks leads the industry in enabling service providers to expand and evolve their transport infrastructure to support IP-TV and IP-Video. Force10’s flagship Traverse platform combines powerful Ethernet switching with scalable, ultra-reliable SONET/SDH transport in a single carrier-class chassis. The Traverse platform integrates intelligent Layer 2 Ethernet switching with advanced VLAN and traffic management to support a mix of broadcast, multicast, and unicast IP-Video. The Traverse shelf provides high GbE port density to aggregate new generation access platforms such as IP-DSLAMs, as well as to interface with the IP-Video Headend.

Transporting GbE-based IP-Video over SONET/SDH enables an incremental and cost-effective migration to a packet-optimized transport infrastructure. Along with ensuring guaranteed bandwidth with ultra-low latency and jitter—an essential requirement for video—this architecture realizes greater than 95% network utilization using GFP, VCAT, and LCAS. The Traverse platform scales to 100 Gbps in switching capacity and supports multiple OC-192/STM-64 rings. The truly carrier-class resiliency capabilities of SONET/SDH are delivered, as well as industry-first Ethernet equipment and facility protection, without relying on proprietary, pre-standard technologies.

Figure 1-7 IP Video Application

Traverse 1600

Traverse2000

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TransNavTM


Chapter 3 IP Video TransportTraverse Advantages

IP Video Aggregation and Transport

The Traverse platform is ideally suited for transporting IP-Video traffic, as well as for aggregating both traditional DSLAM/DLC platforms and new generation IP-DSLAMs/BLCs/OLTs. (See Figure 1-7.) In this application, Traverse shelves are typically deployed in the Headend/PoP and Central Office (COs) location. In the Headend/PoP, IP-Video Headend equipment hands off MPEG2 IP streams to the Traverse platform via one or more GbE interfaces. These GbE IP-Video streams are then transported using an Ethernet over SONET/SDH drop-and-continue architecture around an OC-48/STM-16 or OC-192/STM-64 inter-office ring, or multiple rings, to Traverse nodes located in COs throughout the network. Ethernet over SONET/SDH transports IP-Video with 95% bandwidth efficiency, and provides carrier-class protection to ensure that the service will get through.

Traverse shelves in COs aggregate connections from both new generation and traditional access platforms delivering IP-TV, POTS, and data services to subscribers over ADSL2+, VDSL, or Fiber (FTTH). New generation IP-DSLAMs/BLCs/OLTs backhaul GbE and traditional DSLAM/DLC platforms support OC-48c/STM-16c or OC-12c/STM-4c interfaces. The Traverse platform’s Layer 2 Ethernet switching and aggregation capabilities enable support for multiple types of IP services over the same GbE interface, including bi-directional multicast and unicast video and data (Internet access) services. Sophisticated traffic management features support the provisioning of differentiated levels of service with guaranteed QoS.

The Traverse platform provides the industry’s leading solution for expanding and evolving the service provider’s transport infrastructure to support IP-TV and IP-Video.

Key Traverse IP Video Features

Force10’s Traverse platform unifies GbE switching and next generation SONET/SDH transport allowing carriers to upgrade their inter-office ring networks to deliver IP-TV with optimal reliability and bandwidth efficiency.• High-density Ethernet. Provides high-density GbE and 10/100 Ethernet

connectivity for interfacing with the IP-based headend and DSLAM/DLC/OLT access platforms.

• Ethernet Service features. Integrates L2 Ethernet switching, Ethernet over SONET/SDH (EOS) ports, GFP, HO/LO VCAT, LAGs, LCAS, Link Integrity, VLAN tagging, and traffic management features to support IP-Video broadcast, multicast, and unicast services.

• Traffic Management features. Class of service (CoS), classifier, policer, queue policy, random early discard (RED), scheduler, and shaper.

Traverse Advantages

In addition to the key features, the Traverse platform offers the following advantages:• Unifies Ethernet and new generation SONET/SDH to enable an incremental

migration from TDM to packet for the lowest possible cost.• Scalable to 100 Gbps switching capacity.• Supports multiple OC-192/STM-64 rings.• Next generation Ethernet supports 1:1 electrical equipment protection and 1+1

EOS path protection.



Chapter 4 Carrier Ethernet

Introduction Ethernet technology has matured significantly in recent years, and service providers worldwide are beginning to deploy Ethernet-based virtual private network (VPN) and Internet access services to increase revenues and to meet growing enterprise bandwidth demands. A primary challenge facing service providers deploying Ethernet today is selecting the architectural solution that best allows them to evolve and expand their network infrastructure to meet business customers’ changing service demands.

To meet this challenge reliably and economically, carriers are keen to leverage the SONET/SDH infrastructure already in place to introduce innovative Ethernet services. In addition to offering less operational complexity than a pure Ethernet overlay approach, an integrated solution that combines Ethernet switching and aggregation with “Next Generation” SONET/SDH transport ensures optimal reach and roll out efficiency for the lowest overall capital cost. And, because Ethernet and SONET/SDH have both been standardized for more than two decades, carriers do not have to incur the unnecessary risk associated with deploying proprietary, pre-standard technologies.

This chapter describes the following topics:• Carrier Ethernet• Carrier Ethernet Aggregation and Transport• Key Traverse Ethernet Features• Traverse Advantages


Traverse Product Overview Guide, Section 1: Overview and ApplicationsCarrier Ethernet

Carrier Ethernet

Force10 Networks is a leader in the Carrier Ethernet market. The company’s flagship Traverse platform was the first product in its class to combine powerful Layer 2 Ethernet switching with scalable SONET/SDH transport functionality in a single compact, carrier-class chassis. The Traverse platform is optimized for high-capacity, high-density Ethernet aggregation and provides a comprehensive set of Layer 2 Ethernet switching features, including VLAN and VLAN Stacking (Q-in-Q) capabilities. These features enable service providers to preserve the integrity of their enterprise customer’s traffic by creating service-provider tagged VLANs that effectively tunnel individual customer’s VLANs through the WAN. Granular traffic management and priority tag based queuing are supported to enable differentiated classes of service and guaranteed end-to-end SLAs.

Along with advanced Ethernet aggregation features, the Traverse employs advanced Ethernet over SONET/SDH technologies such as GFP, VCAT, and LCAS to optimize bandwidth efficiency. The Traverse also delivers industry-first support for Ethernet protection at both the facility and equipment levels. These capabilities all combine to enable service providers to transform their deployed SONET/SDH infrastructure into a converged, packet-optimized network that supports native Ethernet-based access services, as well as the emerging multiservice IP/MPLS-based core.

Figure 1-8 Carrier Ethernet Application

TraverseEdge 100

Traverse 2000Traverse 2000

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Chapter 4 Carrier EthernetKey Traverse Ethernet Features

Carrier Ethernet Aggregation and Transport

The Traverse platform is optimized for deployments in central offices and Hub/PoP locations (See Figure 1-8 Carrier Ethernet Application). In the central office, the versatile shelf is typically used to aggregate any mix of Ethernet, TDM, or optical tributaries, as well as lower-speed SONET/SDH access rings, and multiplexes these services onto a high-capacity 2.5Gb or 10Gb Metro or Inter-office SONET/SDH ring. In Hub/PoP locations, the Traverse inter-connects multiple 2.5Gb or 10Gb SONET/SDH rings, performs important Ethernet and TDM grooming (3/3/1, 4/3/1) functions, and interfaces with various service-specific networks/equipment like IP/MPLS routers, soft switches, or the video headend.

Key Traverse Ethernet Features

Force10 ’s Traverse platform is the industry’s leading solution for delivering innovative new point-to-point and multipoint Ethernet services to Enterprise customers over the existing infrastructure. The Traverse platform is also one of the first in the industry to implement several key Ethernet over SONET/SDH standards that significantly improve transport bandwidth conservation and utilization:• Virtual Concatenation• Link Capacity Adjustment Scheme• Generic Framing Procedure• Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol• Virtual Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol• Link Aggregation• Traffic Management

Leveraging GFP, VCAT, and LCAS technologies to conserve transport bandwidth, the Traverse platform maps Ethernet traffic flows into dynamically provisioned SONET/SDH channels (shared or dedicated) that are “right-size” in STS-1 or VC-3/4 increments. With its capability to aggregate and efficiently distribute Ethernet flows, the Traverse platform enables support for point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and multipoint-to-multipoint Ethernet over SONET/SDH topologies.


Traverse Product Overview Guide, Section 1: Overview and ApplicationsVirtual Concatenation

Virtual Concatenation

Virtual Concatenation (VCAT) is an inverse multiplexing technique based on ITU-T G.707/Y.1322 and G.783 standards that supports the bundling of multiple, independent, lower-rate channels into a higher-rate channel. VCAT enables efficient mapping of Ethernet frames directly into a payload of separate VT1.5, VC-11, VC-12, STS-1/VC-3 or STS-3c/VC-4 path signals, known as a virtual concatenation group (VCG). This much improved mapping technique eliminates the rigid hierarchies of the common SONET/SDH containers and enables service providers to provision and transport data services more efficiently.

Figure 1-9 Bandwidth Efficiency with Virtual Concatenation

In this example, legacy contiguous concatenation, the transport efficiency is low. With virtual concatenation, an OC-48/STM-16 link can actually carry two full Gigabit (Gb) Ethernet links and still have six STS-1/VC-3s available to carry other traffic.

Virtual concatenation also enables the re-use of protection bandwidth by allowing both a working path and its protection path in a group. Virtual concatenation provides a logical mesh of multiple, right-sized transport channels over an existing SONET/SDH transport network. These channels are independent of any higher layer schemes for equal cost multi-path routing or load balancing.

Link Capacity Adjustment Scheme

Link Capacity Adjustment Scheme (LCAS) is a method of dynamically provisioning and re-configuring SONET/SDH channels to suit customer needs or carrier bandwidth management requirements, based on ITU-T G.7042/Y.1305 standards. LCAS extends the benefits of virtual concatenation by providing a control mechanism that supports the hitless adjustment, or resizing, of these virtually concatenated channels. LCAS also provides a means of removing member links within a VCG that have experienced failure, adding a new level of resiliency to Ethernet over SONET/SDH solutions.

The dynamic nature of LCAS adds two key values to a SONET/SDH network: dynamic protection management and dynamic bandwidth management. In failure scenarios, LCAS allows members of a VCG to continue to carry traffic. Throughput of a given connection decreases, but the connection remains live. For example, during

GbE GbE GbE

OC-48/STM-16without virtual concatenation

OC-48/STM-16with virtual concatenation

40% transport efficiency1 x STS-48c/VC-4-16c

92% transport efficiency2 x STS-3c-12v/VC-3-12v

and6 x STS-1/VC-3 channels


Chapter 4 Carrier EthernetRapid Spanning Tree Protocol

failures in IP networks, IP routers are able to maintain network topologies even though throughput along various links has decreased. IP routing protocols avoid having to re-converge after a failure while supporting more flexible billing options for operators offering connectivity services.

From an Ethernet services perspective, LCAS provides in-service adjustments of bandwidth associated with a particular customer and flexible protection options for Ethernet over SONET/SDH services. That is, one STS-1/VC-3 is allocated to a Gigabit Ethernet service as a backup link.

Generic Framing Procedure

Generic Framing Procedure (GFP) is a universal traffic adaptation protocol based on ITU-T G.7041 (2001) & ANSI T1.105.02 (2002) standards. GFP is used for the mapping of all broadband transport—be it Ethernet, IP, Fiber Channel, or other block-coded or packet-oriented data streams—into SONET/SDH or the optical transport network. GFP offers significant improvements over previous data over SONET/SDH mapping solutions, such as packet-over-SONET/SDH, ATM, X.86 or other proprietary mechanisms. The GFP encapsulation framework supports both fixed- or variable-length frame structures.

GFP accommodates both variable length frames (PDU-oriented) and block-code oriented signals. Data services can be transported in a mode that matches their unique requirements. Unlike HDLC-based protocols, GFP does not rely on special characters or flags for frame delineation. Instead, it uses a modification of the HEC-based delineation technique used in ATM, placing an explicit payload length indicator in the GFP frame header. With this technique, GFP can fix the PDU size to a constant value in order to support constant-bit-rate traffic, or it can be changed from frame-to-frame to support full encapsulation of the variable length user PDU. This eliminates any requirements for segmentation and reassembly or frame padding to fill unused payload space, making chip design much simpler and cost-effective.

Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol

Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), defined in the IEEE 802.1D standard, is a widely used technique for eliminating loops and providing path redundancy in a Layer 2 packet-switched network. Fundamentally, STP provides an algorithm that enables a switch to identify the most efficient data transmission path to use when faced with multiple paths. In the event that the best path fails, the algorithm recalculates and finds the next most efficient path.

Although effective, the protocol faces one significant drawback that limits its applicability in networks carrying delay-sensitive voice and video traffic: STP has lengthy fail-over and recovery times. Depending upon the complexity of the network topology, STP can take as long as 30 to 60 seconds to detect the change and reconverge after a link failure.

Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), defined in the IEEE 802.1W standard, is an amendment to the original IEEE 802.1D standard and specifically addresses the limitations for applications in carrier-class networks requiring high levels of resiliency and availability. RSTP reduces the time it takes to reconfigure and restore services after a link failure to sub-second levels, while retaining compatibility with existing STP equipment.


Traverse Product Overview Guide, Section 1: Overview and ApplicationsVirtual Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol

RSTP is based on a distributed algorithm that selects a single switch in the network topology to act as the root of the spanning tree. The algorithm assigns port roles to individual ports on each switch. Port roles determine whether the port is to be part of the active topology connecting the bridge or switch to the root bridge (a root port), or connecting a LAN through the switch to the root bridge (a designated port).

Regardless of their roles, ports can serve as alternate or redundant ports that provide connectivity in the event of a failure—for example, when bridges, switches, bridge ports, or entire LANs fail or disappear.

Virtual Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol

On the Traverse system, up to 20 virtual copies of RSTP (V-RSTP) can be run on the same Ethernet card. Each copy, called a Virtual RSTP Bridge (VRB), uses an exclusive set of EOS ports that terminate on the card. Different EOS ports on each node can be assigned to VRBs to form completely separate spanning trees for individual customers; each bridge service can be in a different spanning tree.

Link Aggregation

Link Aggregation, defined in IEEE 802.2-2000, clause 43 (formerly IEEE 802.3ad), is a method by which several physical Ethernet links are grouped together so that they operate somewhat like a single, virtual Ethernet link. Packets received on any of the multiple links in a Link Aggregation Group (LAG) are processed as though they had arrived on the same link. Packets transmitted on the LAG are in fact transmitted on only one of the links currently in the LAG. In this way, service providers can use multiple links simultaneously to increase the effective bandwidth between a CPE switch and a Traverse node. Normally, spanning tree would block all but one of the links; with Link Aggregation, all links can be used simultaneously.

The Traverse system also uses the Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) to provide coordinated link membership fo the LAG. LACP uses predefined system and link identification to prevent misconnected interfaces from being added to a LAG. It also uses provisionable system and link priorities to allow for dynamic determination of active and standby links for LAG-based protection.

Traffic Management

The next-generation Ethernet provides advanced traffic management features to support rate limiting, shaping, and congestion.

Rate Limiting

Rate limiting allows service providers to sell partial rate service. Classifiers divide customer traffic into classes. Class-based Policing measures the customer traffic and marks it as in or out of contract for each class.

Shaping

Shaping allows service providers control over the rate at which the system sends data on an output port—usually because a downstream device can only handle traffic at a lower rate than the port’s native speed.


Chapter 4 Carrier EthernetTraverse Advantages

Congestion

Congestion results when a system attempts to send more data than a port can handle. Class-based Random Early Discard (RED) provides queuing or dropping of extra traffic. Class-based Scheduling allocates the output port’s bandwidth.

Traverse Advantages

In addition to the key Ethernet features, the Traverse platform offers the following advantages:• SONET/SDH and Ethernet functionality are combined in a single platform to

lowers costs, simplify the network, and enable a more seamless migration.• Provides high density GbE and 10/100 Fast Ethernet interfaces.• Ethernet traffic can be shaped, classified, policed, and prioritized to support

guaranteed SLAs and differentiated levels of service.• GFP, VCAT, and LCAS technologies combine to provide highly

bandwidth-efficient Ethernet over SONET/SDH transport.



Chapter 5 Wireless Backhaul and Bandwidth Management

Introduction The wireless industry is experiencing unprecedented growth in demand for bandwidth driven by increased voice minutes, as well as the introduction of next-generation data services. With this, expanding backhaul capacity in the most cost effective manner possible has become one of the greatest challenges facing wireless operators today. Traditionally, the wireless transport network has consisted primarily of leased DS1, DS3, and/or optical circuits for backhauling traffic from cell sites to Mobile Switching Offices (MSOs), as well as for inter-connecting MSOs. Digital Cross-connect systems (DCSs) perform bandwidth management and circuit-switching functions in large MSOs, while patch cords are used to manually cross-connect multiplexing equipment in smaller sites. While this solution has been acceptable for voice traffic, it becomes prohibitively expensive and lacks the scalability and flexibility required to support high-bandwidth, IP-centric data services such as EDGE, UMTS, EV-DO, and WiMAX.

To overcome these limitations, operators are increasingly deploying their own backhaul infrastructure to increase network capacity, as well as to groom and transport wireless voice and data traffic more efficiently. By deploying their own optical facilities, with improved TDM and IP bandwidth management capabilities, operators can dramatically lower costs while increasing reliability and revenue-generating opportunities. A new generation of products has emerged to support this requirement. These solutions integrate scalable optical multiplexing and switching, transmuxing, TDM grooming at DS1 rates and above, as well as native Ethernet/data switching, in a single, compact platform.

This chapter describes the following topics: • Economical Multiservice Transport, page 1-30• Optimizing Wireless Networks, page 1-31• Key Traverse Wireless Backhaul Features, page 1-32• Traverse Advantages, page 1-32


Traverse Product Overview Guide, Section 1: Overview and ApplicationsEconomical Multiservice Transport

Economical Multiservice Transport

Current generation DCS solutions are large, expensive, power-hungry systems with limited flexibility. Force10 's Traverse platform offers all the functionality of legacy DCS, but in a much more economical, versatile, and space/power-efficient form.

The Traverse platform integrates any combination of wideband (VT/VC) and broadband (STS/STM) DCS functionality with SONET/SDH add-drop multiplexing and Ethernet switching in a single, compact shelf. The versatile design features a modular, distributed switch fabric that enables service providers to respond to changing market and customer demands quickly and cost-effectively. Operators can integrate optional VT/VC cross-connect or Ethernet switching functionality simply by installing the appropriate cards. Likewise, increasing capacity is as easy as inserting additional cards. The Traverse 2000 shelf provides a total of 18 service slots, enabling it to scale from 5G to 20G of wideband capacity, or up to 95G of broadband capacity, in only 1/4 of a telco rack.

Options for optical and electrical interfaces range from DS1/E1 to OC-192/STM-64 (including DS3 Transmux), as well as fiber or copper-based 10/100 and Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) switching. The Traverse platform offers complete hardware and software protection with 99.999 percent system availability. SONET/SDH interfaces provide 1+1 APS/MSP, UPSR/SNCP, or BLSR/MS-SP Ring protection, while the Traverse (next-generation) Ethernet switching cards support optional 1:1 equipment protection, and all TDM interface cards support optional 1:N protection (N=1 or 2).


Chapter 5 Wireless Backhaul and Bandwidth ManagementOptimizing Wireless Networks

Optimizing Wireless Networks

The Traverse platform’s compact size, scalable “any-to-any” switching matrix, and support for a wide array of interfaces makes it ideally suited for deployments in MSOs of any size (See Figure 1-10 Wireless Backhaul Application). In addition to efficiently aggregating, multiplexing, and grooming multiservice traffic backhauled from cell sites, the high capacity shelf cross-connects traffic—at the VT-1.5, VT-2, VC-11, VC-12, STS-1/VC-3, and/or OC-3/STM-1 level(s)—between equipment in the MSO, to other MSOs, the PSTN, or to other carriers. The Traverse platform fully interoperates with the existing TDM/ATM/SONET/SDH-based 2Gb/2.5Gb infrastructure while providing advanced Layer 2 Ethernet switching and transport capabilities to enable cost-effective migration to a converged wireless backhaul network that supports 3Gb data services such as EDGE, UMTS, EV-DO, as well as fixed wireless services such as WiMAX.

Figure 1-10 Wireless Backhaul Application

Force10 ’s TraverseEdge 100 (TE-100) complements the Traverse platform in wireless operators’ multiservice access rings. The compact, carrier-class TE-100 shelf is ideal for deployment in central offices, aggregating a mix of DS1, DS3, 10/100, and GbE tributaries, and backhauling this traffic to the MSO over the reliable SONET infrastructure. With its Traverse and TraverseEdge 100 platforms, Force10 Networks provides the leading solution for wireless operators facing the complex challenge of increasing capacity as they evolve to support of all types of backhaul traffic, including Ethernet, TDM, or SONET/SDH.

Traverse 2000

TE-100


Traverse Product Overview Guide, Section 1: Overview and ApplicationsKey Traverse Wireless Backhaul Features

Key Traverse Wireless Backhaul Features

Force10 ’s Traverse platform is the industry’s leading solution for backhauling and grooming wireless data and voice traffic.• Scalable switching capacity. The Traverse platform utilizes an innovative

distributed switching architecture that enables wideband (VT1.5, VT-2, VC-11, VC-12) or broadband (STS-1/VC-3) switching capacity to be increased by simply adding cards.

• Compact design. A single Traverse shelf can scale to support from 5 Gb to 20 Gb of wideband capacity, or up to 95 Gb of broadband capacity, in only 1/4 of a telco rack.

• Modular architecture. The Traverse supports a wide range of technologies and service interfaces, including DS1, DS3/EC-1, E1,DS3 Transmux, E3, OC-3/STM-1, OC-12/STM-4, OC-48/STM-16, OC-192/STM-64, 10/100, and Gigabit Ethernet. The system supports 1:1 and 1:N equipment protection, as well as 1+1 APS/MSP, 1+1 path protection, UPSR/SNCP, and BLSR/MS-SP Rings.

Traverse Advantages

The Traverse platform fully interoperates with the existing legacy infrastructure features while providing advanced Layer 2 Ethernet switching and transport capabilities to enable cost-effective migration to a converged wireless backhaul network.• Increases bandwidth capacity and efficiency to accommodate growth and enable

migration to wireless data services.• Supports high-density SONET/SDH ring aggregation, with integrated 3/3/1

cross-connecting/grooming, transmuxing, and Ethernet in a compact (1/4 rack high) shelf.

• Provides a significantly more economical, space-efficient, and scalable alternative to legacy DCSs.



Chapter 6 International Transport Gateway

Introduction A defining characteristic of the Traverse platform is its combined support for ANSI SONET/TDM standards, as well as the ITU-T SDH/PDH standards, in a single system. This feature enables the Traverse platform to serve as an International Transport Gateway where it performs the specific conversions and cross-connections required to inter-connect North American and international networks. In fact, the Traverse platform is the industry’s only solution to provide complete broadband (high order) and wideband (low order) gateway services with interfaces ranging from DS1/E1 to OC-192/STM-64, as well as switched 10/100 and Gigabit Ethernet (GbE), from a single shelf.

This chapter describes the following topics: • A Global Solution, page 1-33• SONET and SDH Provisioning, page 1-34• Broadband and Wideband Conversion and Switching, page 1-34• Electrical or Optical Transmux and Switching, page 1-36• Service Connections, page 1-37• International Transport Gateway Advantages, page 1-37

A Global Solution

The Traverse International Transport Gateway is an ideal solution for any global carrier, inter-exchange carrier (IXC), or backbone provider looking to expand internationally. In addition to increasing the capacity of the optical backbone to meet ever-growing bandwidth requirements, the Traverse system also allows a seamless evolution to ultra-broadband packet services like Ethernet and MPLS. The comprehensive, multi-layered gateway capabilities of the Traverse system enable service providers to translate traffic between different continents and/or countries and manage global trunks more efficiently and cost-effectively.


Traverse Product Overview Guide, Section 1: Overview and ApplicationsSONET and SDH Provisioning

Figure 1-11 Traverse International Transport Gateway

SONET and SDH Provisioning

Traverse optical service interface modules (SIMs or cards) are software configurable for either SONET OC-N or SDH AU-3/AU-4 STM-N operational modes. SONET or SDH provisioning is supported on a per-card basis. Additionally, electrical (DS3/E3) SIMs are software configurable for clear channel DS3 or E3 operation. Individual DS3 ports can be provisioned for either DS3CC or EC-1 operation on a per-port basis. This flexible design simplifies card ordering and sparing, as well as network operations and maintenance, further lowering costs for global carriers.

Broadband and Wideband Conversion and Switching

To support International Transport Gateway services, the Traverse provides full broadband (high order, including HO-VCAT for Ethernet) and wideband (low order, including LO-VCAT for Ethernet) conversion and switching between SONET STS-N, SDH AU-3, and SDH AU-4 formatted payloads, as shown in the following figures.

Figure 1-12 High and Low Order SONET and SDH-AU4 Conversions


Chapter 6 International Transport GatewayBroadband and Wideband Conversion and Switching

Figure 1-13 High and Low Order SONET and SDH-AU3 Conversions

Figure 1-14 High and Low Order SDH AU-3 and AU4 Conversions

Any SONET payload within an OC-N or EC-1 can be converted and switched to either an SDH AU-3 or AU-4 STM-N facility. DS1, E1, DS3, and E3 services can be added/dropped from SONET or SDH AU-3 or AU-4. Beyond clear channel (intact) mapping of DS3 to SONET or SDH, the Traverse can also perform optical or electrical payload transformation (transmuxing) of channelized DS3 to all three formats, including an M23 or C-bit framed DS3 with constituent DS1s, as well as G.747 framed DS3 with constituent E1s.

Note: Ethernet cross-connects can be supported only by links indicated in blue in the figures above.


Traverse Product Overview Guide, Section 1: Overview and ApplicationsElectrical or Optical Transmux and Switching

Electrical or Optical Transmux and Switching

The Traverse supports electrical or optical transmux of M23 or C-bit DS3 embedded within SONET or SDH. VT1.5/TU-11 cross-connects are supported.

Figure 1-15 M23 or C-bit DS3 TransMux and Switching

The Traverse also supports electrical or optical transmux of G.747 DS3 embedded within SONET or SDH. VT1.5/TU-11 cross-connects are supported.

Figure 1-16 Transmux of G.747 DS3 embedded in SONET/SDH

Each working card in a protection group is autonomous. There is no shared matrix between working cards. In a 1:N protection group, where N is greater than 1, does not apply to the VCX daughter board; it only applies to the VT/TU 5G module. Each circuit requiring LO-Switching must ingress and egress the same VT/TU 5G module.


Chapter 6 International Transport GatewayInternational Transport Gateway Advantages

Service Connections

The Traverse serves as the cross connection point at NA to the various carriers co-located at the site. As long as the services (DS1, E1, DS3, STM-N, Ethernet) in Europe (or possibly Asia) are mapped according to the paths shown in Figure 1-17, then the Traverse solution will be able to switch any of the services.

Figure 1-17 Allowed Mappings for Service Connections

International Transport Gateway Advantages

Traverse International Transport Gateway has these advantages:• A single, compact shelf supporting broadband (STS-N to AU-N) and wideband

(VT 1.5/2 to VC-11/12) switching and “any-to-any” conversion between SONET, SDH, and Ethernet.

• A more efficient and less expensive solution than deploying multiple separate SONET and SDH ADM and DCS platforms.

• Support for a broad range of electrical and optical ANSI and ITU-T interfaces: DS1, DS3/EC-1, E1, E3, OC-3/STM-1, OC-12/STM-4, OC-48/STM-16, OC-192/STM-64, 10/100, and GbE.

• Automated end-to-end service provisioning and cross-connections using the TransNav management system.


Traverse Product Overview Guide, Section 1: Overview and ApplicationsInternational Transport Gateway Advantages


ndscap

SECTION 1International Transport Gateway Diagram Figure 1-18 International Transport Gateway

Note: This chart is best viewed in printed form. Select Current Page, page size 11 x 17 or Tabloid, and La

Stati stical Multiplexing/Packet Switching

International Gateway Cross-Connections

Wideband Cross-ConnectionBroadband Cross-Connection

Pointer Processing

Terminated SignalIntact Signal

Virtual Concatenation

MultiplexingInterface Port

MappingAligningMultiplexing

VCAT Cross-Connection

Pack

et

Se

rvic

es

Pack

et

Se

rvic

es

TDM

PD

H

ANSI ITU-T

SD

H

Broadband Cross-Connections:STS-48c to V C-4-16 cSTS-12c to VC-4-4cSTS-3c to VC-4STS-1 SPE to VC 3 (AU-4)STS-1 SPE to VC 3 (AU-3)

VCAT Cross-Connections:

STS-3c-Nv to VC-4-NvSTS-1-Nv to VC 3-Nv

Wideband Cross-Connections:

VT-1.5 to VC -11VT-2 to VC-12

SSBIT changefor SONET over SDHContents of the SSBITS withinH1, H2:

SONET - the content is "00"SDH - the content is"10 "

AU - Administrative UnitAUG - Administrative Unit GroupSPE - SynchronousPayload EnvelopeSTS - SynchronousTributary SignalTU -Tributary UnitTUG -Tributary Unit GroupVC - Virtual ContainerVCAT - Virtual ConcatenationVCG - Virtual Concatenation GroupVT - VirtualTributary

x4DS3 Transmux

E1

DS1

x7

10 /10 0

GbE

OC-19 2

DS3 Transmux

10 /10 0

GbE

STM-649.95 3Gbps

1-100 0Mbps

1-10 0Mbps

DS1

S TS -3 c-Nv to VC-4-Nv

STS-1-Nv to VC 3-Nv

VCAT

STS-3 c-Nv

STS-1-Nv1-100 0

Mbps

1-10 0Mbps

N x S TS -1

N x VC-4

N x VC 3

N x S TS -3 c

Stati sticalMultiplexing

OC-48

OC-1 2

O 3C

STM-1 6

STM-4

STM-1

2 .48 8Gbps

622.08Mbps

15 5.52Mbps

x1

x1

x1

x1

x1

x1

x1

x4

x4

DS3 Clear

4 4.73 6Mbps

3 4.36 8Mbps

1.54 4Mbps

2.048Mbps

3 4.36 8Mbps

1.54 4Mbps

SDHNetwork

SONETNetwork

AUG-64

AUG-4

AUG-1

AUG-1 6AU-4-4 c

EC-15 1.84Mbps

STS-48c SPE to V C-4-16 cS TS-48cS TS -192 S TS-48c SPE VC-4-1 6 c AU-4-16 c

E3 to E3E3 E3

VCG

Up to 64per Module

VCAT Stati sticalMultiplexing

x4

x3

S TS-48

S TS -12

S TS - 3

S TS -12c

S TS - 3c

S TS -1 S TS -1 SPE

S TS -12c SPE

S TS - 3c SPE

x3

x4

x7

x3x7

x4x7

E1

DS3

VT-2

VT-1.5

VT-2 S P E

VT-1.5 SP E

DS1DS3

DS3

DS2

DS2

E1

DS1

x3x7

x7

DS3

DS3

DS2

DS2

E1

DS1

E3

E1

DS1

DS3 Clear

E3

E1

STS-12c SPE to V C-4-4c

STS-3c SPE to VC-4

STS-1 SPE to VC 3 (AU-4)

STS-1 SPE to V C 3 (AU-3)

DS3 to DS3

DS1 to DS1

VT-2 SPE to V C-12

E1 to E1

VT-1.5 SPE to VC-11

DS3

E1

DS1E1

DS1

DS2

DS2 DS3

x3

x4

x7

x7

DS2

DS2

DS3

DS3

x3

x4

x7

x7

9.95 3Gbps

2 .48 8Gbps

622.08Mbps

15 5.52Mbps

x1

x1

x1

x1

x4

x4

x4

x3

x1

x1

x1

VC-4-4 c

x3x1

x7x3

x4

AU- 3

AU-4

VC 3

VC 4VC 3

VC-1 2

VC-1 1

TU- TUG- 3

TU-1 2

TU-1 1

TUG-2

VT Group

5 1.84MbpsSTM-0

SO

NET

D E S C R I P T I O N : I N T E R NAT I O N A L T R A N S P O R T GAT EWAY

L E G E N D

DS3 Transmux

DS3

OpticalTransmux OpticalTransmux

-

-

-

- -

-

- -

--

3

to V C-1 -Nv

to

N x VC-1

N x VC 1

N x VT

-

VT-2-Nv

VT-1.5 -Nv

- 2

-N x VT1.5

VT-2 -Nv

VT-1.5 -Nv

V C-4-Nv

V C 3-Nv-

2 V C-1 -Nv2

V C-1 -Nv1 V C-1 -Nv1

2

1

4 4.73 6Mbps

2.048Mbps

4 4.73 6Mbps

4 4.73 6Mbps

-NvVT-1.5VT-2 to VC-

-Nvto VC-Nv

-11Nv -12

-

VCG

Up to 64per Module

Traverse Product Overview GuideInternational Transport Gateway Diagram



Chapter 7 New Generation Wideband DCS

Introduction The Traverse platform integrates SONET 3/1 and SDH 4/3/1 cross-connect functionality on the same platform that also provides SONET/SDH transport and high-density electrical service access. With this solution, Force10 has created a highly-scalable and economical alternative to replacing or upgrading legacy cross-connects.

An optional, single-slot Traverse VT/TU 5G Switch card complements the Traverse system's inherent STS/STM grooming capabilities with 5 Gbps of bidirectional non-blocking wideband switch capacity. By adding additional VT/TU 5G Switch cards, the Traverse wideband digital cross-connect (WDCS) solution can scale in increments of 5 Gbps, from 96 up to a maximum of 384 fully-protected STS-1 equivalents, or 10,768 x 10,768 VT-1.5s, in a single Traverse 2000 shelf.

WDCS performs a critical bandwidth management function in carriers’ SONET/SDH-based transport networks. These systems switch and groom traffic at the DS1/E1 level for efficient hand-off to the IOF network or for distribution back to the access network. However, with the continued growth in voice and private line services, scaling traditional WDCSs (typically large, power-hungry systems that are difficult to manage) becomes increasingly inefficient from both a capital and operational cost perspective.

This chapter describes the following topics: • New Generation Wideband DCS, page 1-42• Key Traverse WDCS Features, page 1-43• Traverse Advantages, page 1-43


Traverse Product Overview Guide, Section 1: Overview and ApplicationsNew Generation Wideband DCS

New Generation Wideband DCS

Force10 Networks helps solve these problems with the option to integrate new generation WDCS capabilities seamlessly into the Traverse platform. Force10 ’s solution integrates 4/3/1 cross-connect functionality on the same platform that also provides SONET/SDH transport and high-density electrical service access. With this solution, Force10 has created a highly-scalable and economical alternative to replacing or upgrading legacy cross-connects.

Figure 1-19 New Generation Wideband DCS Application

Carriers can deploy the Traverse WDCS system in end offices or in hub locations. Here, the Traverse system manages bandwidt

Documents

Traverse Product Overview - Force10...Traverse 1600 The Traverse 1600 platform unifies the functions of a next-generation ADM and DCS with an edge Ethernet aggregation switching in