Alcatel proves industry-leading SONET interoperability at SUPERCOMM '97.NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 29, 1997--Alcatel extends its long history of proven dedication to complete SONET (synchronous optical network (networking) Synchronous Optical NETwork - (SONET) A broadband networking standard based on point-to-point optical fibre networks. SONET will provide a high-bandwidth "pipe" to support ATM-based services. ) interoperability with two live demonstrations at SUPERCOMM '97. As an industry leader, Alcatel continues to work with customers and vendors alike to realize SONET's vast potential. In today's carrier networks, SONET equipment from multiple vendors must interoperate to achieve the ultimate in network efficiency, reliability and provide the ability to create new services seamlessly. The Alcatel Booth #149 will provide the backdrop for a pioneering SONET interoperability demonstration involving equipment from Alcatel Network Systems, Inc., Lucent Technologies and NEC (NEC Corporation, Tokyo, www.nec.com, www.necus.com) An electronics conglomerate known in the U.S. for its monitors. In Japan, it had the lion's share of the PC market until the late 1990s (see PC 98). NEC was founded in Tokyo in 1899 as Nippon Electric Company, Ltd. America. The three are teaming up to demonstrate SONET interoperability on multiple levels in an OC-3 rate (155 Mbit/s) unidirectional The transfer or transmission of data in a channel in one direction only. path switched ring (UPSR UPSR Unidirectional Path Switched Ring (SONET) UPSR Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (Primary School Assessment Test) UPSR Unidirectional Path Switch Ring ) configuration. The OC-3 ring will comprise the Alcatel 1631 SX digital cross connect, the Alcatel 1603 SM SONET multiplexer, an OC-3 interface on the Alcatel 1648 SM OC-48 rate (2.4 Gbit/s) multiplexer, the NEC America IMT-150 add/drop multiplexer A device installed at an intermediate point on a transmission line that enables new signals to come in and existing signals to go out. In a typical example, most signals pass through the device, but some would be "dropped" by splitting them from the line. , and the Lucent Technologies DDM-2000 add/drop multiplexer. The NEC IMT-150 is an economical, flexible, reliable OC-3 intelligent multiplexer designed for interoffice in·ter·of·fice adj. Transmitted or taking place between offices, especially those of a single organization: an interoffice memo; interoffice conferences. , loop transport, and customer premise applications. It supports point-to-point, multipoint, and two-fiber UPSR applications, accommodating mixed low-speed interfaces in the same shelf. In an effort to more closely simulate today's complex networks, the demonstration will route traffic with a variety of payload configurations, including STS-1, VT1.5 and DS3. The SONET data communications channel (DCC (1) (Direct Cable Connection) A Windows 95/98 feature that allows PCs to be cabled together for data transfer. DCC actually sets up a network connection between the two machines. ) holds the key to complete interoperability. Operations, administrations, maintenance and provisioning rely on data transferred from one network element to another. A compatible DCC allows for transparent management of the network through any one network element built by any vendor, thus simplifying control of the network. This demonstration is establishing a benchmark of DCC connectivity and has paved the way for the implementation of features such as: remote log-in, software download through the network, and alarm reporting to a common network management device, such as the Alcatel 1320 NM network management system. The Alcatel 1320 NM will monitor alarms and other events from all network elements on the OC-3 ring, maintain network element status, and provide an integrated event browser from which to view event details, thereby demonstrating the ability to integrate alarm and event management into a single platform. Additionally, the Alcatel 1603 SM SONET multiplexer is participating in the ten-vendor interoperability demonstration coordinated by the SONET Interoperability Forum (SIF), in Booth #A5481. The Alcatel 1603 SM SONET multiplexer is serving as the "gateway" element responsible for overall network management, including the DCC interfaces (LAN (Local Area Network) A communications network that serves users within a confined geographical area. The "clients" are the user's workstations typically running Windows, although Mac and Linux clients are also used. and X.25) for the SIF OC-3 UPSR. The SIF group selected the 1603 SM as the gateway network element because it possesses the proven ability to provide the control needed to direct this impressive demonstration. Namely, the 1603 SM is routing all network management functions throughout the ring. Separately, the 1603 SM provides the ability to accomplish Level 2 routing required in larger networks. In the SIF demonstration, the participants' network management platforms, each with different requirements, will access the ring through the 1603 SM in order to log in remotely to not only their own equipment but others' as well -- a myriad of log-in connections all administered by the 1603 SM. The Alcatel 1320 NM network management system is assisting in this function by logging in A colloquial term for the process of making the initial record of the names of individuals who have been brought to the police station upon their arrest. The process of logging in is also called booking. to the 1603 SM and equipment from two other vendors, collecting alarms generated by these network elements, and providing network element status information in an integrated display. The 1603 SM also is providing provisioning and performance monitoring in support of each vendor's scripted interoperability demonstration. The 1603 SM will provide each vendor access to its equipment and facilitate each script in order to prove that SONET interoperability is not just an idea over the horizon, but rather a tool that carriers can use to take advantage of the unbundling A regulatory requirement that enables a competing service provider to purchase parts of the incumbent local exchange carrier's network in order to provide service to its customers. See ILEC. of services called for in the Telecom Act of 1996. The SONET Interoperability Forum is sponsored by the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) is a standardization organization that develops technical and operational standards for the communications industry. ATIS' ofices are located in Washington, D.C. in the US. (ATIS ATIS - A Tools Integration Standard ). Alcatel has demonstrated in laboratory testing -- conducted at its SONET Interoperability Lab (SIL See safety integrity level. 1. SIL - "SIL - A Simulation Language", N. Houbak, LNCS 426, Springer 1990. 2. SIL - SNOBOL Implementation Language. Intermediate language forming a virtual machine for the implementation of portable interpreters. ) in Richardson, Texas -- and in numerous field tests that it has successfully implemented network management application standards specified by the SIF. By meeting the SIF specifications, Alcatel allows other vendors to access their network elements remotely through the complete line of Alcatel SONET multiplexers and cross connects. Alcatel's SIL has numerous pieces of equipment from Alcatel and other vendors. Alcatel's full-time staff of engineers and technicians work with their counterparts from customers and competitors to test and evaluate interoperability configurations. This industry-leading capability has greatly simplified the integration of Alcatel products into carrier multi-vendor networks. Alcatel's activities in North America include the design, manufacture and service of a full line of voice, data, video and multimedia telecommunications products -- such as ATM switching systems, digital cross connects, DSL DSL in full Digital Subscriber Line Broadband digital communications connection that operates over standard copper telephone wires. It requires a DSL modem, which splits transmissions into two frequency bands: the lower frequencies for voice (ordinary systems, fiber optic transmission systems, optical amplifiers, microwave radios, wireless communications switches, video codecs, and network management systems. The telecommunications and broadcast industries, private operators and corporations use these products to create high performance networks. The global operations of Alcatel make it one of the world's leading communications equipment manufacturers. Alcatel is part of the Alcatel Alsthom group, which maintains its headquarters in Paris. Alcatel Alsthom trades on the New York Stock Exchange New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) World's largest marketplace for securities. The exchange began as an informal meeting of 24 men in 1792 on what is now Wall Street in New York City. as ALA. CONTACT: Alcatel, Richardson Michael Newsom, 972/996-7896 michael_newsom@aud.alcatel.com |
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