LAS VEGAS--Juniper Networks announced at TelecomNext here that it is adding new features to its E320 Broadband Services Router that help service providers tackle some operational hurdles related to launching IPTV services.

"Operations is the gatekeeper for any new services coming out of a service provider," said Tom DiMicelli, product marketing manager for the E-Series product portfolio at Juniper Networks. "I've been involved in many initiatives that got past the technical teams and the marketing teams and got stopped at the operational level because they just wouldn't work."

The new feature set includes:

Intrusion Detection and Prevention (IDP) integration and a policy-based volume tracking application for the SDX-300 Service Delivery Platform, which automates threat mitigation and increases network control;

In-service Update feature for the E-series Broadband Services Router, which enables non-disruptive software updates for maximum network availability;

Flow Mirroring support for Gigabit Ethernet interfaces on the E-series, which enhances troubleshooting operations and addresses regulatory compliance;

Link Aggregation support for Ethernet interfaces on the E-series, which provides high network availability during both planned and unplanned network outages;

Firewall Filters for J-Web, a web-based management system, which controls access to Juniper devices, therefore increasing network security;

Extended data export capabilities for the JUNOScope IP Services Manager for ensuring seamless integration with OSS and NMS systems.

The In-Service Update feature could be particularly useful for carriers who don't want to take service down just to intriduce what should be positive enhancements to the service. "An outage with IPTV is a show-stopper," DiMicelli said.

"It's heartening to see a networking vendor acknowledge the critical importance of containing operations costs, and Juniper has addressed three critical components that absolutely have to be controlled," said Tom Nolle, president and CEO of CIMI Corporation in a statement. "They're providing network monitoring that links into OSS processes, they're expanding policy-based management to address mass market low-touch requirements, and they're mitigating the problems of denial of service attacks. All of this combines to help operators keep their operations cost growth manageable as they explore new services, new customers, and new revenues."