Riverstone Debuts 10 Gbps Ethernet Edge Router

Riverstone
Networks introduced an "Ethernet Edge Router" that
combines the standard elements of a multiservice edge router -
an IP/MPLS control plane, multiple interface types, and the
ability to converge traffic over MPLS. The new ASIC-driven
Riverstone 15008 Ethernet Edge Router employs a distributed and
modular operating system architecture that allows the router to
detect and restart errant protocols without affecting the rest
of the system. Riverstone said router software outages and
reboots currently account for nearly half of all network
failures. The Riverstone 15008 hardware also provides redundant
control modules and switch fabrics. It also supports resilient
network designs with technologies like MPLS Fast Reroute and
Service loop detection and prevention. Other key design elements
include:

• 192 Gbps non-blocking switch fabric (384 Gbps full-duplex)
  
• 144 Mpps throughput, expandable to 288 Mpps
  
• distributed hardware forwarding on each line card for IPv4
  and IPv6 routing at wire-rate
  
• MPLS LER and LSR forwarding
  
• Ethernet bridging
  
• IEEE VLAN support and VLAN Stacking
  
• additional VLAN support including Ethernet Pseudowire,
  VPLS and H-VPLS, future Layer 3 VPNs, E-Line and E-LAN,
  E-UNI , etc.
  
• RSVP-TE and LDP label distribution and signaling
  
• hardware based security and service profiles
  
• Jumbo frame support
  
• 10 Gigabit Ethernet (LAN and WAN PHY) and Gigabit Ethernet
  (SFP-based)
  
• Support for POS - OC-3/STM-1, OC-12/STM-4, OC-48/STM-16,
  and OC192/STM-64
  
• Support for ATM - OC3-/STM-1, OC-12/STM-4, and
  OC-48/STM-16

Riverstone said the new 10-gigabit Ethernet router complements
its flagship RS product line and Riverstone Management Center (RMC).
Service providers could use the platform to support,
fine-grained traffic management. It could also function as a
Provider Edge router for high-capacity customers, or be used to
scale the aggregation and core of a network with 10 Gigabit
trunks.



T-Systems is trialing the Riverstone 15008 together with
Germany's national research and education network, Deutsches
Forschungsnetz (DFN).
http://www.riverstonenet.com

• In January 2004, Riverstone Networks introduced a new hardware module, upgraded MPLS routers and a software release all aimed at helping carrier's transition toward MPLS/VPLS-based Ethernet networks. The rollout included three new access routers -- the RS 1100, 3100 and 3200 -- that are positioned as small, cost-effective VPLS platforms that build upon Riverstone's existing RS 1000 and 3000 routers. The new platforms offer additional intelligence to deliver granular QoS with rate limiting and shaping. Available interfaces including ATM, Packet over SONET/SDH and TDM, enabling a transition of existing services to Ethernet services based on MPLS/VPLS. The RS 1100 and 3100 are targeted at Ethernet-over-copper deployments with standard 10/100BaseT interfaces, while the RS 3200 is targeted at Ethernet-over-fiber deployments with SFP interfaces for 100BaseFX or 100BaseBX. The new Advanced Services Module (ASM) for the RS routers provides bandwidth control, allowing Ethernet to emulate the service capabilities of Frame Relay and ATM. The ASM's traffic shaping and advanced MPLS capabilities allow service providers to offer their customers services like E-Line and E-LAN (defined by the Metro Ethernet Forum) as well as a choice in how much service they want to pay for.