Ethernet over TDM Aggregation Gateway

RAD's Egate-20 Ethernet over TDM aggregation gateway interconnects TDM and packet-switched networks, providing advanced Ethernet bridging with fully channelized TDM capabilities. Typically situated in a central location, the Egate-20 functions as a bridge over a PDH environment, connecting up to eight LANs from framed or unframed E1 or T1 circuits, or 248 or 192 remote LANs over fractional E1/T1 circuits.

The Egate-20 Ethernet over TDM aggregation gateway enables Carrier Ethernet services such as transparent Ethernet private line (point-to-point EPL) or Ethernet private LAN (multipoint-to-multipoint EPLAN), provisioned at granular bandwidth rates. The Egate-20 also supports differentiated services on the VLAN and IP layer with four priority queues.

When used in conjunction with RAD’s RICi Ethernet NTUs, FCD TDM access devices and ASMi Ethernet extenders, the Egate-20 Ethernet to TDM gateway provides a cost-effective Ethernet access solution, enabling the delivery of new services with existing technology.

• Rapid deployment of Ethernet services

• Service scalability, small footprint and low power consumption considerably reduce equipment costs for channelized bridge applications

• Single-box solution simplifies operations and reduces maintenance costs

• Transparent TDM to PSN bridging allows carriers to expand their service reach

The Egate-20 is an Ethernet over channelized E1/T1 gateway for interconnecting TDM and packet networks. It is part of the Egate product line, a new breed of products integrating advanced Ethernet bridging with fully channelized TDM capabilities. The Egate-20 is typically situated in a central location, aggregating user LAN traffic received from remote devices such as RAD’s RICi, FCD, and ASMi, thus completing a full Ethernet access solution from the service provider’s central site to customer premises.

The Egate-20 Ethernet over TDM aggregation gateway connects up to eight remote LANs over framed or unframed E1 or T1 circuits, or 248 or 194 remote LANs over fractional E1 or T1 circuits, respectively. This unique capability enables service providers and enterprises to provide MEF (Metro Ethernet Forum)-9 Ethernet private line (point-to-point E-LINE) or Ethernet private LAN (multipoint-to-multipoint E-LAN) services, at granular rates similar to fractional E1 or T1. The device also supports service differentiation on the VLAN and IP layer, with four priority queues forwarding per 802.1p, DSCP and IP Precedence. In addition, Egate-20 immediately detects E1/T1 loops when they occur and closes the bridge port to avoid Ethernet storms. Once the E1/T1 loops are released, Egate-20 reverts to normal operation.

Because the Egate-20 functions as a bridge operating over a PDH environment, a seamless interconnection between customers connected over TDM networks and customers connected over the packet-switched networks can be achieved, while maintaining the same service attributes

The Egate-20 Ethernet over TDM aggregation gateway replaces solutions that are based on expensive channelized E1/T1 routers as well as multi-box solutions based on cross connects and switches. For the service provider, this means simplified operations and considerably reduced costs for channelized bridge applications.

The Egate-20 maps Ethernet user traffic over complete E1/T1 clear channels or bundles of timeslots assigned to a specific bridge port (VLAN), in effect creating a virtual port interconnecting the packet and the TDM networks.

Egate-20 is controlled using in-band or out of- band (SNMP, Telnet, Web) management. Management traffic and user Ethernet traffic are transported together on the same Ethernet flow, separated by different VLANs. This allows for complete separation between user and management traffic, and ensures their security. Local management can be performed via an ASCII terminal. A DHCP server is employed to provide IP address, IP mask and default gateway, automatically saving precious set-up time.

The Egate-20 provides eight E1 or T1 ports and four 10/100BaseT user LAN ports. For management, it is equipped with a dedicated 10/100BaseT management port, as well as an RS-232 port for direct connection to a console. It is available as a compact, 1U-high, half 19-inch wide, stand-alone device in a metal enclosure.