PRODUCT BRIEF. Metroplex Super Intelligent Access

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1 PRODUCT BRIEF Metroplex 6000 Super Intelligent Access Overview Many customer applications have migrated from centralized mainframes to the PC. Local Area Networks are now primary conveyors of data within corporate networks. A natural accompaniment of this dispersal of enterprise communications resources to the branch office is the need for higher capacity, wideband access over local subscriber loops. However, many customers are still interfacing to the network on a line-by-line basis, with each voice and data service provided over 2- and 4-wire copper loops an arrangement that is expensive to install and maintain. In order to deliver wideband services, a cost effective way of implementing the functions once reserved for traditional central office located T1 channel banks must now find its way into the customer premises. In an attempt to answer these needs, first generation equipment has been supplied by several of GDC s competitors Newbridge, for example. However none of the current offerings have the advantages of GDC s Metroplex 6000 solution, a super-intelligent access multiplexer. The Metroplex 6000 helps our customers move to a newer, much more cost effective method Metropolitan Multiplexing from GDC Metroplexing. Metroplexing moves wideband communications equipment once used only by telephone service providers to the customer s premises. By delivering service to the premises in a multiplexed form, embedded copper can can be substantially upgraded in function, since two wire pairs can replace as many as 24 wire pairs for voice and 48 pairs for data. Product Strategy An ideal solution for customer premises T1 termination (Figure 1), the Metroplex 6000 replaces old-fashioned channel bank technology with a compact, yet high channel-density system that: Organizes branch office voice (FXS, FXO, E&M and PLAR) along with 64/56Kbps and wideband data traffic Provides increased aggregate flexibility via two independent interfaces to one or two service providers Fits the limited space available in the wire closet and branch office Paves the way for the entry of new transport technologies such as HDSL into the local loop 1

2 With the Metroplex 6000, corporations can integrate essential voice and data communications at the branch office level in one cost-effective system, while gaining more control of services that once resided inside the carrier cloud. Service providers, distributors, and resellers, can offer their customers CPE products that provision voice and data on one platform, saving on loop maintenance, central office space and equipment costs. The familiar wire closet can be the access point to public wideband services using existing 4-wire facilities. A Glimpse into the Future In the near term, the Metroplex 6000 offers a unique, single-ended access solution. But it is also part of a larger GDC Copper LoopWare strategy. Copper LoopWare offers both the end-user and provider a means to derive an improved class of service at a lower cost by extracting the maximum bandwidth and resource integration from existing wiring resources. The Metroplex 6000 does this by extending T1 access availability to virtually any customer location and by integrating voice and data all without costly re-engineering. Internationally, Copper LoopWare was pioneered by GDC with its Universal Access System (UAS), composed of the 2B1Qbased UAS 600 Series, the HDSL-based UAS 700 Series, DATX Data-Over-Voice access products, and V.F 28.8 modems (Figure 2). Figure 1 - Resource-Saving Wideband Access 2

3 Figure 2 - Universal Access System Figure 3 demonstrates how these products will be joined by the UAS 7000 Series for costeffective Metropolitan Multiplexing solutions the world over. The UAS 7000 provides end office grooming, eliminating the need to add expensive external multiplexing equipment at the service provider s central office. In its first implementation, the UAS 7000 addresses carriers and businesses outside North America requiring E1. Currently the Metroplex 6000 focuses on T1 delivery at the customer premises. In the future, it will become a companion product to the UAS 7000, setting the stage for domestic T1 service delivery based on HDSL technology. Figure 3 UAS 7000 Series 3

4 When fully equipped with both E1 and T1 interfaces as planned in subsequent product releases the Metroplex 6000 and the UAS 7000 will represent the ultimate in local loop provisioning systems using current facilities (Figure 4). Located at the LEC central office, the UAS 7000 will become the generation point of Copper LoopWare, grooming subscriber signals and distributing service to subscribers using the latest HDSL and 2B1Q transmission. Located on the customer premises, the Metroplex 6000 will serve as a single termination point for Copper LoopWare. Figure 4 Metroplex and UAS 7000 for Local Loop Access 4

5 Product Architecture The Metroplex 6000 features a completely modular and scalable product architecture (Figure 5) with the following key system components: Platform Basecards, system common cards that handle aggregate interfaces; Flexi-voice plus and Flexi-data Basecards that handle voice and data channel interfaces; and piggyback voice and data interface option cards. Platform BaseCards Figure 5 Architecture, front Panels, Packaging The Platform Basecard supplies network-side interfaces plus system control. It supports up to two Line Interface Units (LIUs), optional piggyback modules located on the basecard that provide network-side interfaces and perform the basic interface functions. The Platform basecard separates standardsbased voice and data transmission services into their component 64 Kbps time slots for local distribution across a bus to voice and data channel basecards. A fullfeatured T1 CSU LIU option card is available, to provide an aggregate interface at Mbps. Future E1 and HDSL interfaces are also planned. Offering complete T1 network compatibility, the T1 CSU LIU supports all of the standard signaling requirements (AMI or B8ZS), ESF performance monitoring, and both network administrator and carrierinitiated diagnostic testing and alarms. In addition to providing network interfaces, the Platform Basecard acts as a system control card and network management agent. It can direct traffic to an LIU connected to the network and can drop and insert a DS-1 interface via its second LIU to other devices, such as a PBXs. Other 64 Kbps time slots can be passed to Metroplex 6000 channels where they drive analog voice or digital data terminal equipment. A 9.6 Kbps V.24/EIA/TIA-232-E interface enables management via a local VT-100 terminal, a PPP/Ethernet port supports future SNMP management, and a dial port will operate in either VT-100 or, in the next release, in PPP/SNMP mode. 5

6 Voice Channel Cards A key feature of the Metroplex 6000 is its strong support for Foreign exchange (FX) voice services. FX service is key to providing local telephone support from a central office foreign to the subscriber s exchange area. The two FX connections required are FXO (Foreign Exchange Office) for interface to the Central Office and FXS (Foreign Exchange Station) for interface with a telephone set. Another requirement supported by the Metroplex 6000 s voice channel cards is E & M, the signalling system most commonly used for PBX to PBX connections. The Flexivoiceplus Basecard more than covers these voice interface essentials, and does so in a highly flexible fashion. Its piggyback voice option cards handle a broad variety of standard signaling systems including key FXS/FXO, E&M, and PLAR (Private Line, Automatic Ringdown) and are entirely soft configurable. As a result, voice services can be mixed and matched in a combination that fits the application. Three basic voice option card groups are available: an OB (Originate Battery) Series that supports FXS, DPO (Dial Pulse Originate), and PLAR, plus a variety of other signaling options; a TB (Terminate Battery) Series that supports FXO and DPT (Dial Pulse Terminate), and a 4-wire Series that supports 4-wire E&M. A full-featured Transport Only option card will be made available during the next feature release of Metroplex. Since each dual voice option card provides for two independent voice channels and each Flexivoiceplus Basecard supports up to three voice option cards, six channels are provided by each basecard. Another plus, in the form of an OCU-DP (Office Channel Unit Data Port) option card, will add support for a DDS/GDS DSU interface over 4-wire lines at 2.4, 4.8, 9.6, 19.2, 56 and 64 Kbps. Scheduled in the next release, OCU-DP support will allow the same Flexi-voiceplus Basecard to be configured for voice and DDS type OCU-DP data channels. Data Channel Cards (DSU-DP Type) The Flexi-data Basecard enables equally flexible data interfaces all within the same Metroplex 6000 system. Optional interface cards mounted on the basecard allow a choice of ITU V.35, EIA/TIA-232-E, or EIA-530A/V.36/X.21 interfaces. Basic requirements for DDS/GDS DSU-DP type channel configurations and diagnostics are supported. Each Flexi-data Basecard can support up to four independent data channel interfaces, again enabling high channel density. Going forward, other data basecards supporting N X 56/64 Kbps fractional transport and higher channel capacity and G.703 are planned. Packaging, Power, Cabling Metroplex 6000 packaging has been engineered so that end users and service providers alike will find provisioning of new services a much more cost effective operation (Figure 5). Customers can start with an easily accessible unit that fits in the wire closet and migrate to higher density installations if and when required. All basecards follow a standard GDC Metroplex form factor, resulting in one card style and outline for all Metroplex enclosures. Network and business equipment interfaces are located on the front of the card for easy access. Standard 50-pin connectors enable high flexibility and easy plug-in rearrangement. The cost of sparing, card replacement, maintenance and repair are kept to a minimum. Helpful front panel LED indicators provide a visual confirmation that channels are in service, being used, in a test, or in an alarm state. 6

7 Metroplex features a brand-new wallmounted arrangement called the Metropak. Basecards in the Metropak mount parallel to the wall with each front panel facing to the right and are interconnected via a backplane that distributes power, ground and various internal busses. Flexible power choices include a universal AC power supply that can accept input voltages from 100 to 240VAC, adapting automatically with no strapping or switching required. The very same Metropak enclosure will also handle 24 and 48 VDC power when required. As rollout of a new Metroplex 6000 USS backplane proceeds, Metroplex basecards will also be able to be rackmounted in the Universal System Shelf (USS). The Metroplex 6000 USS backplane will be an eight-slot backplane, enabling two independent Metroplex 6000 systems to be housed in one USS. Network Management Metroplex 6000 is currently managed via its front panel craft port interface. Configuration and diagnostics are performed from easy-to-use ASCII screens via a VT-100 terminal or a PC running VT-100 terminal emulation. Management functions available are the basic tools used by service providers for rapid troubleshooting and fault isolation. The diagnostic set is appropriate for branch office environments, eliminating complicated diagnostic routines in favor of the basics. In addition, users are provided with key functions for monitoring network and channel interfaces via the system s front panel LEDs. For the future, the Metroplex has been designed to provide for SNMP network management. An SNMP port on the Platform Basecard will accept SNMP communications using either Ethernet or PPP. Key System Features Economical T1 Access at Customer Locations With the Metroplex 6000, resource consolidation begins at the customer premises, where separate data and voice termination systems can be replaced by one unit. T1 multiplexer functions are moved from the central office to the customer s premises, resulting in reduced costs to the end-user as a result of the saving on telephone company resources. The Metroplex 6000 consolidates both data and voice into one high speed stream that uses existing 4-wire facilities, eliminating the need for separate line-by-line installations for each. Support for up to Two T1 Interfaces per System This feature not only enables cascading and drop-and-insert configurations but also provides the advantage of diverse traffic routing. The two T1 data streams can pass unchanged through the LEC and directly into one Interexchange carrier or into two different carriers. Or one T1 data stream can be switched between two alternate carriers. Voice and LAN Transport in One System The Metroplex 6000 is especially skilled at handling current branch office voice requirements FXS/FXO and E&M. It also provides for a number of different high-speed LAN needs, including transport for frame relay from a router. This means it can be adapted to a range of branch office environments from small to mid-size, as well as regional offices that require support for a greater number of channels and phone sets. 7

8 Drop-and-Insert and Diversity Metroplex 6000 can drop and insert bundles of 64 Kbps timeslots that represent user channels. Diverse standby T1 interfaces, selectable via the management interface, offer backup to a primary T1 circuit. Scalable High Channel Capacity Compact wallmounted Metropak supports up to 30 voice, 30 OCU-DP type chans, or 20 data terminations in various combinations. As a network grows, channel capacity is easily expanded to up to 84 voice channels or up to 56 data channels transportable to a USS shelf. Flexible Voice and Data Metroplex 6000 supports FXS, FXO, E&M, PLAR voice signaling types and all key data interfaces including 64/56 Kbps, T1, FT1, Drop and Insert, and future N x 64 Kbps, enabling support for a wide variety of North American branch office applications. E1/FE1 support accommodates the world marketplace. Reconfigurable Interfaces The personality of a voice or data interface is easily changed by interface option cards. Soft configuration of basecards and option piggyback cards is done via the management terminal interface. Unified System Architecture With a common product card style, Metroplex 6000 simplifies installation and maintenance, saving sparing costs and allowing cost-effective future expansion of channel capacity and type. The Right Diagnostics Metroplex offers the right management tools for control and troubleshooting at the customer premises level. Since it responds to all standard network test commands, the Metroplex 6000 works with the service provider to pinpoint troubles quickly and accurately. APPLICATIONS Voice & Data Integration (Small Branch Office) Frame Relay & Voice (Medium Size Branch Office) Diverse Traffic Routing (Regional Branch Office) 8