Next-Gen Networks
December 2000
Kevin Mayer  

The New VoDSL

BY KEVIN MAYER

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Originally, voice over DSL (VoDSL) was promoted as a cost-effective way to roll out voice services while taking advantage of a high-speed data infrastructure. Hence, data CLECs and ISPs were considered prime candidates for deploying VoDSL. Why shouldn't they leverage their data networking investments and begin enjoying the higher margins possible with voice services?

Eventually, concern grew that voice services were becoming commodified faster than anticipated. More to the point, VoDSL, as originally conceived, shared many of the limitations of traditional voice networks. Basically, VoDSL required that the service provider either own or have access to a Class 5 switch. This dependence meant that VoDSL itself suffered the constraints of the traditional network's inherent centralization of call control and services creation. VoDSL solutions from many vendors are now being revised, allowing for a migration to decentralized, "next-gen" public infrastructures, specifically those incorporating decomposed elements such as softswitches and media gateways.

In general, the trend is towards providing more intelligence at the edge, which typically demands support for better, more refined quality of service (QoS) mechanisms. Finer QoS, in the case of solutions relying on ATM transport, usually means support for switched virtual circuits (SVCs) and not just permanent virtual circuits (PVCs).

While ATM is emphasized in most VoDSL solutions, nearly everyone is looking forward to IP-oriented solutions, which are gaining on ATM in terms of QoS. Here, the relevant protocols are MPLS (multi-protocol label switching) and DiffServ (Differentiated Services). These protocols, or refinements of them, are expected to provide per-packet, application-aware sensitivity to traffic management. Hardly anyone doubts that IP will, in the long term, be ascendant, given the mismatch of talent and investment devoted to IP development as opposed to ATM development. In the meantime, any given VoDSL deployment will likely depend less on the relative popularity of IP or ATM, and more on the immediate needs and current infrastructure of the service provider.

We should recognize that VoDSL is positioning itself to do more than provide dial tone and extend services from Class 5 switches. Instead, VoDSL will increasingly emphasize softswitch functionality, as well as the deployment of enhanced services. These services will include direct connection to Class 4 tandems (no expensive Class 5 intermediaries), private voice networks, remote PBX functionality, and interestingly enough, churn-reducing bundles of familiar (and novel) voice and data offerings.

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Next-Gen Networks News

Polycom Announces DSX Interface For NetEngine 8000 IAD
Polycom announced the availability of a DSX interface and support for direct inward dialing (DID) on its NetEngine integrated access device. The DSX capability allows small and medium-sized businesses to reduce telecommunications costs by using the netEngine 800 to connect voice traffic from their PBX or key system to the PSTN. The DSX-capable IAD allows these businesses to eliminate the need for both an expensive T1 line for voice access and a separate connection for broadband data.

Accelerated Networks Introduces Secure Multiservice Broadband Access
Accelerated Networks announced the first in a series of moves focused on allowing service providers to offer a range of enhanced IP and application services over secure multiservice broadband access networks. The initiative is being kicked off with the introduction of the company's Internet Companion (AN-IC), a wire-speed security service delivery platform that adds security and VPN features to Accelerated's family of carrier-class integrated access devices (IADs). According to the company, any combination of firewall policies, network address translation, 3DES encryption, traffic shaping, and URL blocking can be implemented without sacrificing performance.

Marconi Acquires Mariposa, Introduces Remote Solution
Marconi Communications announced its acquisition of Mariposa Technology, a provider of integrated access devices. The Mariposa range of IAD products will be incorporated within Marconi's Access Hub architecture and will add to the end-to-end communication networking solutions that Marconi can offer its customers.

Marconi also announced the addition to its Sphericall (or enterprise telephony solutions) portfolio of an integrated access device that extends an enterprise's broadband communications networks to small or remote offices. The IAD, called the VIM100-TE1, allows enterprises to leverage their investment in the Sphericall softswitch and ATM backbone network through cost-effective Ethernet connections to the local area network.

Jetstream Launches Formation, Supporting Bundled Voice/Data 
Jetstream Communications announced Formation, a comprehensive, multi-phase initiative for delivering a wide range of voice-over-broadband product and support solutions that map to the voice-over-broadband service lifecycle. These solutions comprise the Jetstream Formation portfolio, including carrier-class systems (such as the Jetstream CPX-1000 broadband voice service platform and Jetstream IADs), management software, and business development and support services. Phase I of the initiative is geared to the needs of early adopters, emphasizing ease of service deployment, as well as preventing downtime. Phase II, scheduled for Spring 2001, maps to the "rapid growth" phase, emphasizing management and service expansion. Phase III, due Fall 2001, emphasizes the deployment of value-added service offerings.

Woodwind Introduces A "Soft" IAD
Woodwind Communications Systems launched what it characterizes as a new approach for delivering voice-over-broadband services. Called the "Soft IAD" because it offers software-based CLASS and Centrex features, software-configurable access interfaces, and a software migration path, the new release is designed to enable service providers to offer new services to their customers without the costly and cumbersome provisioning and deployment often encountered with IADs.

PacketPort.com Announces Gateway, IAD, And Soft CO Products
PacketPort.com announced the availability of its gateway, integrated access device, and soft central office products. The gateway, called DataCrate SS7, takes call information from the IP network and converts it to ISUP/SS7 signaling to complete calls originating from MGCP IADs and the voice-over-IP network. The IAD, called VoicePak, provides voice and fax capabilities via standard telephone ports, and enables voice traffic to merge with data traffic over a single copper pair DLS connection. The soft central office product, called DataCrate SCO, is a large-scale intelligent call agent. DataCrate SCO receives local voice traffic from all IP subscribers in packet format, and it determines how calls need to be routed.

QuesCom And NMS Team For Next-Gen VoIP
QuesCom announced a formal alliance with Natural MicroSystems. Under the terms of the agreement, using NMS products and services, QuesCom will incoroporate VoIP technology into its SmartIAD line of integrated access devices. QuesCom has already relied on NMS Alliance Generation technology to integrate IVR, fax, and IP telephony capabilities into its QuesCom 500 and QuesCom 600 products.

Convergent And Woodwind Demonstrate Interoperability
Convergent Networks and Woodwind Communications announced that their products are fully interoperable, offering service providers a complete solution for meeting growing customer demand for voice over broadband services such as voice over DSL. Convergent's ICS 2000 broadband swtich, which resides in a carrier's central office, provides switching and interworking between traditional circuit-switched networks and next-gen broadband networks. Woodwind's ClariNet IAD is a customer-located, network edge platform.

Integral Access Delivers IP/MPLS-Based Access System
Integral Access announced enhanced DSL capabilities for its PurePacket platform. According to the company, PurePacket is a packet-based multi-service access system that brings MPLS and routing intelligence to DSL access networks, and dynamically provisions resources for delivering voice, video, tiered data, and VPN services. By combining the functionality of a voice gateway, DSL access multiplexer (DSLAM), digital loop carrier (DLC), and digital cross connect in one platform, PurePacket allows network operators to deploy a single IP-based access network for delivering all services over DSL access lines. PurePacket supports both the Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP) and GR-303 standards; thus, it allows carriers to hand off DSL voice calls to new generation softswitches and legacy circuit switches.

CopperCom Announces Softswitch Availability
CopperCom announced the availability of its Local Exchange Softswitch System, the LeXSS, which is architected to deliver new local exchange services to business and residential subscribers. The LeXSS comprises three platforms: a switching and media conversion platform, a softswitch platform, and a provisioning and management platform.

The switching platform provides line-side interfaces to subscribers via circuit and packet access networks. On the trunk side, the switching platform connects to the PSTN through SS7 ISUP trunks, and also connects to packet core networks. The softswitch controls the switch platform using the Megaco/ H.248 standard. It provides call handling, line and trunk side features, and a feature creation environment.

The LeXSS appears to the network as a single system, including the switch, softswitch, and remote IADs, simplifying the provisioning and management of the system. Interoperability with existing OSSs is supported through northbound interfaces, including Corba, SNMP, and XML. In addition, subscribe self-care can be enabled via a web portal and supported by integrated remote management of the IADs, reducing operational support costs.

Phase I of the LeXSS deployment, which currently involves more than 20 customers, comprises the CopperController softswitch and the CopperCom CSX 2100. Phase I now delivers Class 4 functionality. Phase II, scheduled for Q1 2001, will provide Class 4 and Class 5 functionality, with integrated broadband access. Phase III, due Q2 2001, will support end-to-end packet networking, with signaling support for Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and Bearer-Independent Call Control (BICC).

New IAD From IPAXS
IPAXS Corporation announced its new OmniAXS VoiceHub 803RE, an IAD with routing capabilities that support simultaneous voice and data offerings by broadband service providers. The product, an integral component of the company's Virtual Switch Platform, supports up to 2 analog phone lines, Ethernet connectivity to a local LAN, and a variety of WAN interfaces including T1 or xDSL. Key features include PBX/Centrex functionality and Web-based instant service provisioning.

ADTRAN And Jetstream Announce Interoperability
ADTRAN and Jetstream announced they have completed interoperability testing, enabling ADTRAN's Total Access 850 integrated access device to fully interoperate with Jetstream's CPX-1000 broadband voice services platform. The companies assert the certification will accelerate the deployment of low-cost converged voice and data services.
www.adtran.com

New IAD From RAD Data
RAD Data Communications launched the LA-140, an ATM integrated access device that the company characterizes as an integral member of RAD's recently announced Link Access family of IADs. The LA-140 supports up to 12 modular analog voice channels, 12 analog voice ports, up to three data/LAN ports, and one 10/100BaseT port. Further, the product has a built-in router that interfaces between different technologies. On the WAN side, it supports xDSL interfaces. The LA-140 uses AAL1 or AALl2 for voice and AAL5 for data, and can run ISDN over ATM AAL2. The product also features QoS assurance through OAM, traffic shaping, and SNMP management.

Copper Mountain Interoperability Announcements
Copper Mountain Networks announced that the company's widely deployed DSL networking solutions are interoperable with carrier-class, packet-voice softswitch and media gateway solutions from ipVerse, Tellabs, Sonus Networks, and Syndeo. According to Copper Mountain, interoperability amongst these providers gives carriers the means to deploy a distributed, cost-effective VoDSL solution extending from their subscribers' premises to the PSTN, replacing and augmenting the expensive centralized circuit switches that currently handle the bulk of today's voice traffic.

FastComm And Interspeed Interoperate
FastComm Communications and Interspeed announced the completion of interoperability testing between the Interspeed EdgeSpeed DSL access routers and FastComm's MetroDSL voice and data products. The FastComm IAD may be incorporated into an alternative solution to small or medium-sized multi-tenant unit (MTU) ISPs and CLECs that want to generate voice revenue without the need to incur major infrastructure expenses, such as those associated with Class 5 switches.

AccessLan Promotes Converged Services Over IP
AccessLan announced a joint marketing partnership program to offer an end-to-end solution for next-generation converged services based on IP and softswitch technology. The solution will consist of AccessLan's IP QoS-enabled i-SLAM equipment and IP-based softswitch, as well as telephony and IP connectivity services from an array of best-of-breed suppliers. Partners such as telecom technologies, ipVerse, NexTone Communications, vocalData, Sylantro, PacketPort.com, and Tellabs will provide a comprehensive softswitch-based service convergence solution including softswitches, media gateways, service creation platforms, application switches, and customer premise gateways.

"VoDSL The Easy Way" From Net to Net Technologies
Promising to simplify carrier VoDSL deployments, Net to Net announced its VoDSL the Easy Way solution, which consists of an ADSL multiplexer module, a new voice-over-SDSL access multiplexer card (for exiting DSLAMs), a 100 percent IP architecture, "configuration-free" operation (using the company's AutoIP technology), and new SDSL IADs to provide end user termination of VoDSL.
www.nettonettech.com

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How Smart Does An IAD Need To Be?

BY MICHAEL HORNBY

An IAD needs to be as smart as the end user, because today's IAD has to meet end user demand for services. Today, end users are willing to pay for integrated services and they'll stick with the service provider who can deliver one-stop shopping.

Carriers in turn seek solutions that allow them to sell many different services over the same pipe to a variety of end users. That requires quality of service (QoS) mechanisms to deliver those services with real value. And, to achieve sufficient QoS, the customer edge of the access network, or last mile, must provide the granularity required to manage individual end users, their services, and their quality preferences.

Current solutions for the access network treat it as a weak collection of generic pipes that need fortifying with "steroid" solutions. That is, they add numerous pieces of equipment (including switches, routers, and gateways) to the core to deliver broadband services and guarantee quality of service. This approach, however, generally undermines the service provider's business plan by deploying greater bandwidth without increasing intelligence. While larger fabrics may help to ensure quality, that pipe generally goes underutilized and does not generate maximum revenues. Service providers aren't getting more "bucks for bits."

An architecture of the next generation must achieve service delivery from an end user perspective by enabling two competing networks: an aggregate core network and a granular access network. Together, they effectively deliver converged services to thousands of unique end users over a single broadband connection. And they do so with guaranteed QoS for both voice and data.

By putting intelligence at the end user premises on an intelligent IAD, end users can self-provision their services--real-time, on-demand, pay-per-use. And it gives service providers the power to pre-engineer services. Now that's smart!

Michael Hornby is VP of marketing at Sedona Networks in Kanata, Ontario, Canada. Mike has more than 13 years of experience in high-technology global sales and marketing, including the telecommunications industry. 

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