Zhone Technologies unveils MXK-F PON aggregation platform

Broadband access network and enterprise transport systems provider Zhone Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZHNE) has introduced the MXK-F aggregation platform, aimed to support the PON aggregation requirements of fiber-optic broadband and enterprise networks.

The MXK-F family is designed to support both current GPON and Active Ethernet architectures as well as such next-generation approaches as XG-PON, NG-PON2. Zhone has launched the aggregation portfolio with two platforms, the MXK-F1421 and MXK-F1419. Both MXK-F models increase uplink capacity to more than 300 Gbps, reduce boot time by 80%, and support nearly 5X the number of connected devices, Zhone asserts. The systems also improve the reliability and availability of the network, while setting the stage for network function virtualization (NFV).

The modular MXK-F chassis feaure customer line card slots that currently support GPON and Active Ethernet. The MXK-F1421 supports up to 16 customer line cards. The MXK-F1419 uses the same chassis design as the MXK-F1421, but supports 14 customer line cards and mounts in 19-inch racks.

Both models support up to 128-splits per optical line terminal (OLT) port; a fully filled MXK-F1421 can support more than 16,000 optical network terminals (ONTs) at 64 splits in a residential setting. In a passive optical LAN application, one MXK-F1421 chassis can support up to 130,000 Ethernet ports, Zhone says.

"If one were to pair the MXK-F1421 with an eight-Ethernet-port ONT, this platform can technically support more than 294,000 end-users," said Eric Presworsky, CTO at Zhone. "There may not be many people who want to take that leap, but the scenario demonstrates the magnitude of the telecommunications, video, data, and other applications that the MXK-F can accommodate."

For more information on FTTx equipment and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer's Guide.