Cisco Debuts Carrier Packet Transport with MPLS-TP

Cisco introduced its Carrier Packet Transport (CPT) System -- a metro access aggregation platform that aims to integrate the capabilities of Ethernet + TDM switching, transponders and ROADMs in order to deliver packet network efficiencies in the transport network. Essentially, CPT unifies the packet and transport layers in one compact, carrier-class platform. It integrates DWDM, OTN, Ethernet, and MPLS-TP functionality, giving service providers a P-OTS platform for next-generation transport networks.


Cisco's CPT is the first to support standards-based MPLS transport profile (MPLS-TP), which interoperates seamlessly with MPLS offered on routing products like the Cisco ASR 9000 Series Aggregation Services Routers and Cisco CRS-3 Carrier Routing System.


The platform is being introduced in a six-rack unit (Cisco CPT 600) and a two-rack unit (Cisco CPT 200) model, along with a satellite device (Cisco CPT 50). The modular CPT 600 P-OTS platform scales up to 352 Gigabit Ethernet ports, while the CPT 200 offers up to 176 Gigabit Ethernet ports.


Cisco estimates its CPT system will achieve a 60 percent reduction in rack space by combining multiple interface layers into one. This directly translates into a 65 percent power savings.


The Cisco CPT system is currently in field trials with several service providers and is scheduled to be available in the first quarter of 2011.


Cisco also introduced a multivendor, Premier Integrated Network Management Experience (PRIME) software package that manages MPLS and MPLS-TP end-to-end, dramatically simplifying operations and consequently reducing operational costs. It is available as a graphical user interface on a single domain to configure, provision and manage optical and MPLS connections. It is also offered as an autonomous model that enables separate management of MPLS from that of wavelengths.
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