Telco Systems (BATM) unveiled its T-Marc 3312SC demarcation box that's designed for multi-service (MPLS, Ethernet) backhaul deployments, but which can also be used for enterprise services. The vendor claims that the product, which becomes commercially available in the first quarter of 2013, is small in size (1 rack unit by half shelf width) but still packs 12 1Gbit/s ports and 8 T1/E1 circuit emulation ports for TDM-over-Ethernet backhaul. Despite all those features, the vendor's Nir Halachmi is most proud of the broad range of integrated management and QoS capabilities that support service level agreement (SLA) assurance. (See Telco Systems Unveils Backhaul Demarc Box.)

RAD Data Communications Ltd. , meanwhile, had a different approach to the backhaul sector with its MiNID, a 1Gbit/s SFP (small-form pluggable) module that can slot into base stations or even some Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO) switches. Get the full lowdown by reading: RAD Has a Radical Ethernet Module.

ADVA Optical Networking was also focused on the needs of mobile backhaul network operators with its FSP 150SP sync probe device, a small box that can be integrated with third-party network elements to provide time synchronization using a "Precision Time Protocol (PTP) clock probe that simultaneously supports Synchronous Ethernet and IEEE 1588v2, and a built-in GPS receiver." The ADVA team is pumped about this product because it provides a solution for introducing clock synchronization features in what ADVA believes is the most efficient and cost-effective way. The vendor also announced Ethernet Ring Protection Switching (ERPS) on its FSP 150 family. (See ADVA Unveils Sync Probe for Mobile Backhaul and ADVA FSP Supports Ethernet Rings.)

Other product announcement news announcements from the show floor include:

For all our coverage from the New York event, see our Ethernet Expo 2012 show site.

— Ray Le Maistre, International Managing Editor, Light Reading