Cox Communications has built a carrier-class optical Ethernet backbone to serve the New Orleans Public Schools using Fujitsu Network Communications' Flexible Architecture for Subscriber Service Termination (FASST) and Ethernet equipment from Atrica. The new network links nearly 140 schools and administrative sites using Gigabit Ethernet connections. Each site now receives high-speed, guaranteed services including Internet access, Voice over IP, IP/H.323 videoconferencing, and distance learning. The new network replaces a mix of T1s, Frame Relay and other access technologies previously employed by the school district.
Cox is using Atrica's A 8100 Optical Ethernet core switches at hub locations, A 4100 Optical Ethernet aggregation switches at select aggregation sites, and A 2100 Optical Ethernet edge switches to deliver services at each school or administration site. Cox is also utilizing the Atrica Service Platform for Ethernet Networks (ASPEN), an integrated service provisioning and management system, to manage the entire network.
Atrica's Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF)-compliant Committed Information Rate (CIR) capabilities allow Cox to accurately control bandwidth and ensure each site has an equal share of bandwidth and services. The equipment also provides guaranteed SLAs, QoS, Ethernet Operations, Administration, Maintenance and Provisioning (OAM&P), and sub-50 millisecond resiliency.
Fujitsu provides service and support for the project. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Fujitsu noted that it has numerous other carrier trials and deployments underway for networks based on its FASST architecture.http://us.fujitsu.com/telecom
http://www.atrica.com
- In June 2004, Fujitsu Network Communications introduced its Flexible Architecture for Subscriber Service Termination (FASST) aimed at integrating SONET, Optical Ethernet, ATM, Frame Relay, IP, MPLS and Operational Support System (OSS) products. Fujitsu has formed partnerships with Atrica and Hammerhead Systems to implement its FASST strategy.
