September 8, 2004 Stockholm, Sweden -- Transmode Systems AB, supplier of optical networking solutions, today announced a major enhancement to its system 1100 WDM networking platform.
In June, Transmode released an upgraded version of the System 1100 transponder unit with SFP-based pluggable line interfaces, bringing the transponder in line with the company's Universal Aggregator family. Now, the company claims it is the first optical system vendor to introduce pluggable DWDM optics, allowing a seamless upgrade path from CWDM to DWDM for customers wishing to extend network capacity and reach.
"The main advantage of using pluggable DWDM interfaces is that we can support both CWDM and DWDM technology on the same transponder or aggregator unit," explains Michael Crossey, Transmode's vice president of marketing and business development. "Customers are no longer forced into a choice between technologies on day one. They can begin deploying networks using cost-effective CWDM technology and easily upgrade to DWDM as requirements evolve," he says. "Use of a common card type supporting either option greatly simplifies network planning and reduces inventory, driving down operational costs."
Thanks to Transmode's cascading filter approach, adding new DWDM channels to live networks already built using CWDM has no impact on existing traffic. The resultant hybrid network supports at least 30 WDM channels, more than adequate for the vast majority of metro applications.
Transmode has also introduced an "open port" policy for its traffic units. Unlike many other vendors, Transmode does not "lock out" client or line ports, allowing customers to source their own WDM transceivers if preferred.
Transmode is demonstrating the DWDM-enabled System 1100 at this year's European Conference on Optical Communication (ECOC) in Stockholm, Sweden. The demonstration is taking place together with Acreo in Acreo's National Broadband Test Bed within the Swedish pavilion.