Alcatel-Lucent innovates with optical-packet portfolio for IP network transformation

Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) is further enhancing its 1850 Transport Service Switch (TSS) to assist fixed and mobile operators in their network transformation programs. The innovations support Alcatel-Lucent’s strategy of helping its customers in their all-IP network transformation accelerating new service delivery across an optical-packet converged infrastructure.

Available today are:

Release 2.0 of the Alcatel-Lucent 1850 TSS chassis switching up to 320 Gbit/s, newly equipped with fully integrated multi-degree reconfigurable add-drop multiplex (ROADM) capabilities.
The Alcatel-Lucent 1850 TSS-3, a new variant switching up to 3 Gbit/s, targeting Ethernet access networks for Ethernet business services, hybrid mobile backhauling and “Ethernet in the first mile” applications.
“With these innovations, the Alcatel-Lucent 1850 TSS solution further enhances its distinctive packet migration approach to service providers who want to transform their networks, without swapping out their previous investments,” said Jason Marcheck, Principal Analyst, Optical Infrastructure at Current Analysis. “The value proposition offered by the Alcatel-Lucent 1850 TSS and its universal switch concept provide a solid foundation to seamlessly introduce new technologies and support every stage of network transformation.”

“Today’s announcement further confirms our commitment to support operators in their IP network transformation plans,” said Romano Valussi, president of Alcatel-Lucent’s Optics activities. “As Ethernet transport continues as a key service for business customers and packet traffic growth increases, our focus is to assist our customers with the key enablers they need to address market changes.”

The unique universal switching approach of the Alcatel-Lucent 1850 TSS makes it a truly hybrid platform for the deployment of scalable hybrid packet-optical transport networks with minimized total cost of ownership. The Alcatel-Lucent 1850 TSS allows to seamlessly and economically introduce scalable packet, TDM and photonic networking functionality into future-proof transport networks. Through its support of configurations consisting of all TDM, all packets, all photonics or any mix in between, the product delivers a single solution with a simpler design that delivers the same performance of native packet and TDM switching, along with non-stop forwarding capabilities.

Alcatel-Lucent 1850 Transport Service Switch - Release 2.0 of the 320 Gbit/s chassis

Innovations and benefits include:

Transparent photonic networking – integration of multi-degree wavelength selective switch (WSS)-based reconfigurable add-drop multiplex (ROADM) that provides higher scalability for traffic growth.
Multi-degree wavelength routing – further enhances the Alcatel-Lucent 1850 TSS’ overall flexibility for the highest efficiency in service delivery, and increases the ease of design, planning and use of optical networks. Up to 8 photonic directions within the same node are available for simplified multi-ring and meshed connectivity. Wavelengths can be rerouted according to real-time service demand, thus accelerating operations and time to service.
SONET MSPP functionality – the solution can be seamlessly introduced into existing SONET networks, enabling to bridge towards new, advanced features, such as packet and photonic networking.
Enhanced Ethernet functionality - enhanced features, such as Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP)v2 for multicast connections and Link Aggregation, are supported for intensive aggregation of IPTV and Ethernet business services in metro and regional networks.
Unified management via the Alcatel-Lucent 1350 management suite.
New 3 Gbit/s chassis for the Alcatel-Lucent 1850 TSS

This new customer located equipment chassis optimally fits into hybrid Ethernet and TDM access networks providing a very cost-effective solution for ‘Ethernet in the first mile’ service demarcation between a carrier network and the end-user and Ethernet aggregation. This variant comes in multiple configurations, with protected optical Ethernet or plesiochronous digital hierarchy (PDH) uplinks to address the following customer requirements:

Extension of carrier Ethernet services (E-Line, E-LAN) managed end-to-end to customer premises;
Leverage existing PDH based copper infrastructure in providing future-proof Ethernet services or Ethernet mobile backhaul;
Differentiating services based on Service Level Agreement (SLA).
Unified management via the Alcatel-Lucent 1350 management suite.
The world leader in optical networking with a 23.3% market share in 2006 (Source: Ovum-RHK), Alcatel-Lucent is spearheading the transformation to all-packet transport. Alcatel-Lucent integrates its experience, leading portfolio and innovative vision into optical solutions that support a broad range of blended service applications - such as triple play, Carrier Ethernet connectivity and 3G mobile backhaul – exceeding customer needs in the fixed, mobile, submarine and vertical markets.