HONG KONG--RAD Data Communications this week unveiled a new Ethernet access strategy that supports multiple forms of access networks and provides the ability to remotely troubleshoot service quality using an intelligent demarcation capability.

“Our Ethernet access strategy allows service providers to offer common attributes on their services regardless of the method of access, and to offer end-to-end SLAs [service level agreements],” said Yacov Cazes, director of product management for Ethernet Solutions.

Carrier Ethernet access is a major focus for RAD, Cazes said, and its strategy is three-pronged.

“Ethernet is a service that can ride a variety of access types--fiber, PDH/SDH, DSL, ATM and wireless,” he said. “We have the full variety of solutions so the carrier has the ability to offer a seamless service with the same attributes over whatever access method. This is a big differentiator for us because others don’t have as deep a portfolio.”

Secondly, the intelligent demarcation point gives customers a point of intelligence at the customer premises so they can verify an SLA and also monitor the quality of service.


“Sending a technician out to diagnose every problem is expensive and Ethernet is a cheap service,” Cazes said. “With the intelligent demarc, they can do traffic management at the customer premises. Plus they have diagnostics and end-to-end monitoring tools. They can keep statistics and do loop-back testing.”

Loop-backs, widely used in the TDM world, help service providers identify signs that a service may be degrading and in need to closer attention.

RAD has chosen to implement a pre-standard version of the IEEE 802.1ag standard, which is still in progress, Cazes said. “From our experience, we knew this was essential for carriers to implement a standard end-to-end service control,” he said. To date, most suppliers are offering IEEE 802.3ah, an established standard which monitors segments of the network, Cazes added.

Finally, RAD’s carrier Ethernet access option includes emulation of legacy services to enable service providers who don’t have SDH or SONET deployed to offer E-1 or T-1 services respectively.