Tellabs Packs Content Aware Routing in SmartCore 9200 Series

Tellabs introduced a new family of content-aware SmartCore 9200 edge routers featuring a massive 1 terabit per slot capacity for up to 11.2 Tbps per chassis. The new platforms, which build on the Tellabs 8800 MSR series as a carrier-class edge routing platform for IP/MPLS and Ethernet, leverage a "SmartCard" architecture where the service intelligence is placed on each interface card, providing fine grained visibility and DPI-based traffic management on the card, instead of requiring separate Ethernet cards, Mobile Packet Core cards and DPI cards in each chassis.


Tellabs said its goal in developing its next generation edge routers was to enable traffic engineering optimization where application flows can be identified and policies enforced based on the fluctuating loads on the network. For instance, application flows can be identified for Netflix, Facebook, Twitter, Skype, BitTorrent, etc. This would allow the network operators to respond to surges in over the top traffic while ensuring a quality of user experience.


A central feature of the platform is the new Tellabs "GeniOS" Operating System, an open system that enables the operator to manage traffic on an application basis. Tellabs "GeniOS" can provide distributed and virtualized capabilities for the Layer 3-7 infrastructure as well as subscriber management and other third-party applications, such as security and malware programs. A single services control layer enables control of IP/Ethernet, Mobile Packet Core, Analytics and PCEF, Video Services and Security.


Tellabs said it is using a combination of merchant silicon and its own programmable logic devices.


Three versions are initially being introduced: the 11 Tbps SmartCore 9280 Platform, the 4 Tbps SmartCore 9240 Platform with an embedded switch fabric, and the 2 Tbps SmartCore 9220 Platform with an embedded switch fabric. The first interface cards include: SmartCard 1x100G, SmartCard 10x10G, SmartCard 40x1G, and a Centralized Switch Fabric Card.


The Tellabs 8000 Intelligent Network Manager, which already manages all Tellabs products, will manage the Tellabs SmartCore 9200 Series.


Telstra, which has a large installed base Tellabs 8800 MSRs, plans to deploy the new SmartCore 9200 edge routers beginning in 2012. Initially, Telstra plans to deploy the Tellabs SmartCore 9200 series in high-density parts of the network, where scale is needed or where it is looking to drive new services, such as DPI-based services.


Tellabs is also introducing a new "Insight Analytics" Services Network, which will pull data from its SmartCore platforms, mobile backhaul systems and third party probes to deliver deep network intelligence. The solution helps both identify and address network pain points, so operators can improve users' mobile Internet and wireline experiences. Tellabs Insight Analytics Services is in trials with operators and will be generally available in the first quarter of 2012. The Tellabs SmartCore 9100 Probe is available now. http://www.tellabs.com