TiMetra Networks introduces family of service routers for data service delivery over IP/MPLS networks

9 June 2003 Mountain View, CA Lightwave--TiMetra Networks announced its flagship SR-Series of service routers at SuperComm in Atlanta last week. The family of scalable, carrier-class routing platforms incorporates the service orientation and management capabilities necessary for delivery of new, private data services as well as Internet access.

Meanwhile, on May 16, 2003, TiMetra announced it had entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Alcatel (Paris). The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2003.

Unlike current generation routers, the SR-Series is designed from the ground-up for the delivery of multiple services over an Internet protocol/multi-protocol label switching (IP/MPLS) packet network. The system is built on TiMetra's Flexpath technology, a fully programmable 10-Gbit/sec fastpath that enables future upgrades to be achieved in micro-code, eliminating the substantial costs of line-card replacements and truck rolls, which are required with today's routers. The Flexpath technology enables providers to quickly and cost effectively deploy service offerings including Ethernet, Frame Relay, and ATM virtual leased lines, border gateway protocol/MPLS VPNs (RFC2457bis) and virtual private LAN services.

"TiMetra's SR-Series is enabling us to deliver the industry's first production virtual private LAN service in an extremely compact and cost-effective footprint," said Kenneth Frank, senior vice president of engineering and systems at MASERGY, a global provider of IP/MPLS-based services. "The SR-Series allows us to efficiently extend the private data services being demanded by our customers, while providing the scalability and flexibility necessary to meet their future needs," he added.

The SR-Series is a complete family of service routers designed to fit multiple applications for a variety of service providers. It includes the 20-Gbit/sec SR-1, occupying 1.5 of a rack unit, the 60-Gbit/sec SR-4, occupying one-seventh of a rack, and the 400-Gbit/sec SR-12, occupying one-third of a rack. All SR-Series routers utilize a common set of interface modules and small-form-factor pluggable optics, improving customer flexibility to mix-and-match media types and optical reach on a per-port basis and reducing unnecessary capital expenditure. The SR-Series supports Ethernet interfaces ranging from 10/100 Mbits/sec to 10 Gbits/sec and TDM-based interfaces from T1/E1 to OC-192/STM-64. Furthermore, the SR-Series' density of 600 Gigabit Ethernet or 960 OC-12/STM-4 ports per rack with services allows providers to maximize their return on investment.

The SR-Series enables quality of service, accounting/billing and provisioning and diagnostics -- all on a per-service basis -- allowing providers to accurately support service level agreements. In addition, the SR-Series' integrated operations, administration and management (OA&M) functionality lets providers fully verify, manage and troubleshoot IP/MPLS data services for the first time. Key OA&M features include: service assurance tools to verify all aspects of a service, end-to-end; media access control ping and trace route tools to rapidly locate network paths to customer premise devices; and service mirroring to troubleshoot services and capture traffic without having to overlay network analyzers or deploy technicians to remote points of presence.

The complete set of OA&M functions are embedded in the SR-Series platforms and can be activated through an industry-standard command line interface or via TiMetra's Management System (TiMS). TiMS also delivers centralized provisioning, fault management, network and service topology mapping, and service troubleshooting, reducing operational complexity and speeding resolution of service outages.

"Support for a wide range of enterprise services, coupled with a comprehensive OAM&P feature set, differentiates TiMetra's service routers from other vendors and delivers tangible value to service providers," said Mark Bieberich, senior analyst, Communications Network Infrastructure, the Yankee Group. "Based on our research with service providers worldwide, TiMetra's service routers are clearly aligned with the most challenging network problems carriers face today."

The complete family of SR-Series service routers including the SR-1, SR-4 and SR-12, is available immediately with list prices starting below U.S. $30,000. The management system is expected to become available in the third quarter of this year, with list pricing starting at U.S. $60,000.