Telco Systems today launched the first two models of a new Ethernet demarcation customer premises (CPE) device line.

The new T-Marc product line is targeted at carriers launching Ethernet in either packet or TDM environments. Like similar products, the T-Marc is hoping to capture the rapidly growing Ethernet market. However, Telco Systems isn’t trying just to put another cheap Ethernet demarcation point out into the market.

“There’s a very high level of functionality in terms of quality and switching,” said Dave Lee, vice president of marketing and services for the vendor.

Just as important is the ability to monitor the T-Marc units remote, thereby eliminating the cost of truck rolls. Sitting and the service termination point, the T-Marc supports IEEE 802.3ah Ethernet First Mile Task Force and Metro Ethernet Forum, IEEE 802.1ag OAM standards.

“One of the problems with the Ethernet services in general is isolating faults and defining where that fault lies,” Lee said.

Just as unique is the ability mix and match legacy and next-gen interfaces including Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet and T1/E1 services over Ethernet using Pseudowire Circuit Emulation Service. The T-Marc-254 offers 4 T1/E1 CES ports when used in conjunction with the company’s metro product. Both T-Marc 250 and T-Marc 254 have 4 10/100BaseT ports; 1 100/1000BaseX port; and 1 universal port (1000BaseX, 100BaseFx or 10/100/1000BaseT).

For Telco Systems, the new product puts it in a market that is becoming increasingly more crowded with vendors. At the same time, Lee said, the burgeoning need for Ethernet products by carriers of all sorts should provide plenty of customers.

“We’re not really targeting just one market,” he said. “This could be for a CLEC, metro Ethernet player or an ILEC.”