Metrobility Releases Multi-Port Carrier Ethernet Demarcation Device for Beta Test; Multi-service verification, provisioning and testing enable edge-to-edge carrier Ethernet services across multi-provider networks.

MERRIMACK, N.H. -- Metrobility Optical Systems, the pioneer in optical Ethernet demarcation solutions for the deployment of carrier Ethernet services, today announced that its RS960 Ethernet Services Provisioning Platform has been released for beta testing by several domestic and international service provider customers. The RS960 represents the next generation of purpose-built carrier Ethernet demarcation solutions being offered by Metrobility. (See related announcement today.)

The RS960 is a customer-located, six-port Ethernet demarcation device that allows service providers to manage and provision multiple services, e.g., data, voice and video, from a single device, and isolate individual services for troubleshooting without impacting other service offerings. Multi-level management -- IP-based or proxy-based IP-less -- enables the service provider to use SNMP, IP PING, or IEEE 802.3ah OAM for device management while embedded security controls ensure protection against denial-of-service attacks. The RS960 provides four multi-speed 10/100/1000Mbps customer-facing Ethernet ports and two gigabit redundant fiber provider ports to support failover, ring configurations or link aggregation into the provider's network.

The RS960 represents the next generation of purpose-built carrier Ethernet demarcation solutions being offered by Metrobility. Designed around the company's AccessServices(TM) architecture, the RS960 offers service aggregation and service multiplexing across multiple Ethernet Virtual Connections (EVCs) to support multiple services or multiple customers. The AccessServices architecture provides a framework to enable Layer 2, MPLS, Pseudowires or VPLS networking and takes full advantage of existing and emerging standards from the IEEE, ITU-T, IETF and MEF, including IEEE 802.1ag, ITU-T Y.1731 and MEF Services OAM, for service performance measurements.

"Placing more application-driven intelligence at the network edge simplifies service delivery and offloads many requirements from the network service edge router," stated Manu Kaycee, vice president of product strategy and management at Metrobility. "This means that the service provider can reduce both operational and capital expenditures when deploying Ethernet services, while maintaining the service guarantees that customer's have come to expect."

Future software enhancements to the RS960 include an embedded service performance assurance test head that will allow service providers to perform a non-intrusive, in-service verification and performance test between the RS960 and any other device in the network. "This method of testing and assurance on a live network provides a more accurate measurement of performance through multi-provider networks where traffic may vary across different segments." Kaycee continued.

The RS960 will be available for general customer shipments in the third quarter of this year. The Company will be conducting live demonstrations of the RS960 at the upcoming Globalcomm show being held in Chicago, June 5 - 7, Booth 31026.

About Metrobility Optical Systems

Metrobility is an optical Ethernet equipment manufacturer focused on accelerating the deployment of carrier-class Ethernet services to business users. Its Radiance product family enables service providers to connect, access, multiplex, manage and simplify networks at the customer edge, enabling fast, simple, seamless service creation and comprehensive service verification capabilities to increase the revenue potential and reduce the capital and operational expenditures of Ethernet service offerings. Metrobility is an ISO 9001:2000 registered company based in Merrimack, New Hampshire USA with distribution in more than 40 countries worldwide. Metrobility has more than 15 years of experience in Ethernet, with more than 70 service providers and thousands of large enterprises utilizing Metrobility's products worldwide. More information on Metrobility Optical Systems can be found at www.metrobility.com.

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