FibroLAN adds resilience to the MetroStar System

April 16, 2004

FibroLAN announced the addition of resilience functionality to its leading Access Concentrator – the MetroStar™ System. This functionality is provided by the MCM100-RL, an “Any to Any” 100TX to 100FX Redundant Link Conversion module for the MetroStar™ chassis.

FibroLAN announced the addition of resilience functionality to its leading Access Concentrator – the MetroStar™ System. This functionality is provided by the MCM100-RL, an “Any to Any” 100TX to 100FX Redundant Link Conversion module for the MetroStar™ chassis.

It automatically selects the active port on each F/O and TP sides (with priority to “MAIN” ports) and interconnects them. It has two TP and two F/O connectors. This way end-to-end path and device redundancy is achieved disregarding the type of the remote device, catering to various network resilience scenarios.Upon failure of a MAIN port, the module switches traffic within less than 300m.secs to the Backup port and alerts the network manager. When the MAIN link is restored, the traffic will automatically switch back to it, providing operational consistency and easy tracing of the active path. The switch-back occurs immediately after link restoration or following a tunable delay (via the management systems) to avoid network instability during the repair process. Inactive Ports (normally Backup) are continuously monitored for link integrity, providing the network manager with valuable information of his system’s readiness.

It performs FDX Advertising to force duplex mode on its link partner. The module is offered in a large variety of optical interfaces, both dual and single fiber strand, allowing the extension of the network up to 150km. Selective Fault Propagation from the F/O port to the TP or vice-versa allows further network resilience. Its RJ-45 ports are Auto-Cross compliant, making installation trouble free. The Subscriber Link Emulation (SLE)- when link partner is an MA enabled device – allows real time notification of the remote user failure while maintaining the fiber link active. The rate limiting mechanism provides the carrier with a platform to ensure SLAs along with high over-subscription rates. Like other MetroStar modules, the MCM100-RL is fully SNMP managed. The embedded MA chip allows full management of remote (MA enabled) devices eliminating the need of costly SNMP processors and IP addresses in such devices.

“Carriers providing services to the business community” – comments Zvi Speiser V.P.Engineering “have stringent requirements for network resilience while maintaining ease of installation and administration. This new module combines several technologies and advanced features to accomplished these –somewhat contradicting – goals”

FibroLAN develops integrated fiber-optic broadband access systems for the corporate and consumer markets. Solutions provide organizations dispersed over metropolitan areas access to their Intranets and to the Internet, at speeds ranging from 10 to 1000 Mbps. Its unique MA technology facilitates low-cost remote management and Rate Limiting of FTTx CPEs