ECI releases NPT-1300 packet-optical transport platform for improved end-to-end metro service delivery

Optical transport systems vendor ECI is using the MPLS+SDN+NFV World Congress in Paris, April 10-14, to launch its new NPT-1300 multiservice packet-optical transport platform to simplify end-to-end metro service delivery. Incorporating carrier-grade assurance and visibility with packet efficiency and multiservice support, the NPT-1300 delivers the scalability and the service agility required to meet increasing traffic demands in the metro, says ECI.

Metro networks are a point of convergence for traffic from residential, business, and mobile backhauling services, and are evolving as a result of mobility trends, the move to the cloud, and increasing consumption of high-bandwidth services such as video and gaming. According to ECI, metro networks will also be affected by future 5G networks and the resulting growth of connected devices and array of new service types.

Optimized to support such next-generation metro networks, the NPT-1300 is an IP/MPLS packet aggregation platform with the density to support as much as 1 Tbps of capacity in today's 3RU shelf, and to support 1.6 Tbps in the future. With a range of coherent 100G/200G interfaces and other interfaces, the NPT-1300 can meet all service demands in the metro network, ECI attests. Integrated optical support, OTN mapping, and IPoDWDM also enable transport efficiency with hand off to the optical layer, when and where required.

ECI asserts the NPT-1300 is ideal for mobile backhaul (3G, 4G, and 5G), wholesale service delivery, residential multiplay, metro aggregation, and business VPN connectivity services. The platform offers multiservice, carrier-grade redundancy, service assurance, and Elastic MPLS (which ECI says is a combination of both IP and TP) and segment routing. ECI's NPT-1300 also features real-time control through the ECI Muse software suite, and several service and networking applications for streamlined service delivery and automate network operations.

Last month ECI announced the availability of network interface upgrades focusing on the company's Neptune family, and its Apollo optical transport and switching family (see "ECI's announces network interface upgrades to meet capability growth demands of service providers"). ECI says the NPT-1300 platform is the latest addition to its Neptune packet-optical transport line of products for supporting various service needs on right-size platforms that can evolve with in-service expansions, embedded NFVi hardware, and SDN.

"Metro networks need to adapt to a surge in IP-based services and massive demand in all areas. Service providers cannot wait for the next 5G investment cycle to upgrade their metro capabilities," said Jimmy Mizrahi, ECI head of global portfolio. "The NPT-1300 supports high-capacity metro aggregation and fits nicely between our NPT-1200 small aggregation appliance, and the NPT-1800 targeting the metro core. ECI's Elastic MPLS provides the flexibility to allow network operators to choose the packet transport technology they require — MPLS, Ethernet or Segment Routing, or any combination of these — making NPT-1300 a truly multi-service platform."

MPLS+SDN+NFV World Congress attendees can learn more about the NPT-1300 by visiting Booths 211 and 212.

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