Gigabit Ethernet rings
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Aug. 23 -Overture Networks, a leading developer of converged packet access platforms, today announced a new patent in resilient packet technology granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This latest patent, U.S. Patent No. 6,928,050, "Protected Switching Ring" (PSR), enables Overture Networks' ISG platforms to provide a much-needed answer for carriers who want to use Gigabit Ethernet over dark fiber, or extend existing backbone rings, but require resiliency for customer Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
As Ethernet is deployed in metropolitan and access networks and SLAs are offered on these networks, there is a strong incentive to maintain SONET/SDH- like resiliency -- the ability to recover from a fault in less than 50 milliseconds. To support this demand for stability, service providers need to offer resiliency and redundancy for their packet-based networks. Overture Networks' PSR algorithm provides for a ring topology that can be built using standard Ethernet technology and methodology-and can recover from faults in less than 50 milliseconds.
Protected Switching Rings are implemented as a simple and inexpensive software upgrade to Overture Networks' ISGs. PSR capabilities on the ISG interwork seamlessly with existing Layer 2 switches and backbone DWDM (dense wavelength division multiplexing), Resilient Packet Ring (RPR) or SONET/SDH transport systems to provide a capability that operates much like traditional UPSR configurations. This open architecture enables operators to preserve their investments in existing network equipment and services, while meeting the burgeoning demand for reliable packet services.
"With this latest patent, Overture Networks is pushing its technology leadership position in multiservice access to a new level," said Prayson Pate, Overture Networks' vice president of engineering. "The capabilities of PSR offer a huge boost to service providers looking to offer resilient services and SLAs for enterprise customers making a change to Ethernet services. In addition, PSR provides an additional level of redundancy when providers begin aggregating their IP-DSLAMs or their Cable Modem Termination Systems (CMTS)."
About Overture Networks Inc.
Headquartered in North Carolina's high-tech center, Research Triangle Park, Overture Networks has assembled a veteran team with extensive experience delivering edge solutions to carriers and enterprises-experience rooted in IP, Ethernet, and TDM technologies and dedicated to the specific problems metro service providers face in a hybrid packet/circuit world. The company's ISG products are converged packet access platforms that can deliver multiple managed services over any network infrastructure to any customer location at the customer edge.
