Mahi Networks, a start-up based in Petaluma, California, introduced new layer 2 packet processing capabilities for its Mi7 Multi-Service Core Aggregation System (MCAS) for SONET/SDH Networks. The new functionality enables carriers to deliver differentiated mass-market layer one data transport and layer two packet switched and statistically multiplexed data services over their embedded SONET infrastructure without the need for a separate data overlay network. Key enhancements in the Mi7 R1.5 system release include:
- a server card enables carriers to incrementally add non-blocking packet processing as a system resource that is shared across any of the STS1s in the Mi7 broadband cross connect matrix. The fully integrated PPX server card leverages the Mi7's dual mode packet-based architecture, eliminating the need for adjunct packet-processing boxes and inter-machine trunking. The server card is capable of aggregating and switching Ethernet frames between X.86 DS3/STS channels, GFP STS channels, and GbE interfaces in a full logical mesh normally found only in L2/L3 core switches at either layer one or layer two.
- an X.86 LAPS to G.7041 GFP inter-working gateway network element (GNE), and X.86 and GFP multi-vendor interoperability for extended Ethernet Private Line service reach across today's heterogeneous embedded and emerging base of metro Ethernet-over-SONET/SDH metro edge devices.
- scalability enhancements to Mahi's multi-vendor SONET/SDH ring aggregation (SRA) with full IP/OSI DCC inter-working GNE capability. Mi7 R1.5 provides scalability of up to 256 subtended and protected SONET/SDH rings, and 4096 uniquely addressable subtended third party ADM or MSPP metro edge nodes by applying advanced routing and IP control plane technology such as multi-area IS-IS and OSPF with traffic engineering extensions for topology discovery across hundreds of subtended rings and tens of nodes per subtended ring. The scalability enhancements enable Mi7 BLSR support for up to 256 rings as well.
The new R1.5 release also supports the following L1 and L2 Ethernet features:
- Up to 256 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) interfaces per Mi7, supporting Ethernet Private Line (EPL) services over existing SONET, SDH, and DS3 networks
- IEEE 802.3ad Link Aggregation and mapping of Ethernet dataflows into SONET, SDH, and DS3 channels via ITU-T X.86 LAPS and G.7041 GFP framing protocols.
- 802.1Q VLAN tagging, 802.1ad QinQ tag stacking, 802.3ad GbE link protection, switch configuration reporting, dynamic VLAN profiles, and full function L2 VLAN virtual circuit cross-connection of up to 64,000 unique packet flows.
- Rate policing on a per-flow basis in 10 Mbps granularity, IEEE 802.3x flow control, and multiple traffic priorities to enable value-based service pricing models and deterministic SLA enforcement.
- Link/equipment protection and facility protection switching. Mahi's 802.1ad implementation has no restriction of the GbE port location in the system, and does not require physical adjacency. This feature significantly simplifies the carrier planning and port allocation efforts, and provides better utilization of available GbE ports for up to 256 ports per system.
