JUNE 11, 2008 -- Fujitsu Network Communications (search for Fujitsu) has announced IEEE standard Provider Backbone Bridging with Traffic Engineering (PBB-TE) support for its newly announced FLASHWAVE CDS and FLASHWAVE 9500 packet optical networking platforms.
"Service providers are looking for a mix of standards-based technologies that can accelerate their transition to a flexible Ethernet-based aggregation and transport infrastructure," said Stan Hubbard, senior analyst at Heavy Reading. "Connection-oriented Ethernet using PBB-TE allows the deployment of an Ethernet infrastructure that bears all the classic optical infrastructure characteristics -- like 50-msec protecting switching, protocol transparency, private-line quality of service, and robust fault management on software-simple elements -- that have allowed service providers to build profitable, scalable network businesses. The end result is an efficient solution that aggregates and transports Ethernet connections to core IP/MPLS/VPLS networks while simultaneously supporting native E-Line services."
Fujitsu sees circuit-based PBB-TE technology as a complement to routed IP/MPLS technology rather than as a replacement. PBB-TE fits into the metro aggregation network, Fujitsu says, where it serves the need to collect and backhaul Ethernet circuits from access locations back to the multi-service edge, which is the gateway to the backbone IP/MPLS network. The company asserts PBB-TE is well-suited for this backhaul application because it matches the circuit-based operational approach of the metro network, supports the hub-and-spoke nature of the traffic demand, and enables the remote deployment of software-simple elements to funnel Ethernet traffic back to the more complex IP/MPLS routed core.
The Fujitsu packet optical networking platforms now will enable service providers to create a distributed, connection-oriented Ethernet aggregation and transport infrastructure that natively delivers Ethernet private line and virtual private line services, and backhauls Ethernet traffic to the IP service edge. By integrating PBB-TE, also known as IEEE standard 802.1Qay, into the Fujitsu packet optical networking portfolio, service providers can construct a single universal optical infrastructure that aggregates both traditional TDM traffic and Ethernet traffic over a tightly integrated ROADM transport layer, the company says.
"PBB-TE is an ideal technology for building Ethernet infrastructure because it delivers not only the connection performance levels that have been missing in service provider networks, but it does so in a way that is completely consistent with the simple, circuit-centric operational approach used in metro aggregation and transport networks," said Rod Naphan, vice president of product and strategic planning at Fujitsu Network Communications. "PBB-TE provides the option to push sophistication to a centralized management system while allowing network element software on distributed elements to remain simple and easy to operate."