Cisco Pushes Ethernet

MADRID, Spain -- Cisco Systems® today announced it has made enhancements to its Internet Protocol Next-Generation Network (IP NGN) architecture to ease deployment of a wide range of business-focused and consumer-based services. The enhancements are designed to help increase service providers' revenues and customer loyalty while making delivery of the services more cost-effective.

The Cisco IP NGN architecture now incorporates standards-based Carrier Ethernet operations, administration and management (OAM) capabilities from the core to the customer premise, and it includes the Cisco® 7600 Series Routers, Cisco Metro Ethernet (ME) 3400 Series Ethernet Access Switches, Cisco Catalyst® 3750 Metro Series Switches, and Cisco 1841, 2800 and 3800 Integrated Services Routers. The new OAM features also include IEEE 802.1ag for service verification, IEEE 802.3ah for link layer troubleshooting, and Ethernet link management interface (E-LMI) for auto provisioning of customer premise equipment.

Cisco's recommended IP NGN implementation is its ServiceFlex design, based on a Carrier Ethernet infrastructure. The design allows for the rapid provisioning of, and transition to, Ethernet-based services; the OAM enhancements help service providers manage service-level agreements (SLAs). With Cisco ServiceFlex, Ethernet-based business services and residential "triple play" services can be delivered over a single converged Ethernet infrastructure, enabling service providers to increase revenues per customer without significant increases in capital expenditures.

Cisco also announced the availability of two new form factors for the Cisco ME 3400 Ethernet Access Switches, which play an integral part in Cisco's Carrier Ethernet product portfolio by supporting Ethernet connectivity to business-oriented multi-tenant units (MTUs) and single-tenant units (STUs) as well as residential-oriented multi-dwelling units (MDUs). Purpose-built for service provider needs, the Cisco ME 3400 Series Ethernet Access Switches are the first in the industry optimized for both residential "triple play" and business virtual private network (VPN) services markets.

Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO)