Laurel Networks has added L2TP Network Server (LNS) and VPLS (Virtual Private LAN Service) capabilities to its ST200 Service Edge Router. The L2TP Network Server in Laurel's newly released ShadeTree 3.0 service-enabling system software supports up to 128,000 broadband subscriber sessions. The LNS feature may be enabled on any card installed in the ST200 platform, with no special hardware required.
The new VPLS support adds a point-to-multipoint (or bridged) Ethernet service (based on the IETF Lasserre-V Kompella draft) to existing point-to-point (pseudo-wire) Ethernet services. ShadeTree 3.0 takes advantage of the AnyService on AnyPort @ AnySpeed feature on Laurel's ST200 platform to enable VPLS on a variety of access networks including Ethernet, SONET, ATM or Frame Relay.
In addition, ShadeTree 3.0 has added a run-time hitless software upgrade capability. The Laurel Instant Versioning (LIVE) feature leverages the modular ShadeTree software architecture to enable real-time patches of portions of live running code, without impacting system operation. Service providers can use the capability to install new diagnostics and implement unplanned updates on the running system without interruption.
   
|  Injecting Intelligence into the Broadband Service Delivery Infrastructure   Whilebroadband is rapidly gaining market acceptance, it's unclear which delivery and pricing models and applications will gain market acceptance. Service providers must design their broadband delivery infrastructure to support the delivery of high-speed, QoS-sensitive applications, regardless of what they are or how they are |
