RAD Unveils Gigabit Ethernet-over-SDH/SONET Converter that Offers Cost-Effective Alternative to ATM Devices and Routers

RAD Data Communications has introduced its new RIC-622GE Ethernet–to-SDH/SONET converter, which transports Gigabit Ethernet traffic over STM-4/OC-12c lines.

“The RIC-622GE Ethernet-to-SDH/SONET converter is designed for major enterprise and service providers that wish to provide a simple and efficient connection of two remote LANs over SDH or SONET infrastructure,” explains Shoval Bolotin, Product Line Manager at RAD Data Communications. “It is a cost-effective alternative to ATM devices and routers that is both easy to configure and rapidly deployed,” he notes. “The RIC-622GE is also an ideal solution for backhauling IP DSLAM traffic over SONET/SDH,” he adds. “Its Ethernet-over-HDLC-over-VC4–4c encapsulation protocol enables almost total utilization of SDH/SONET payload traffic, since only a small header is required.”

Functioning as an L2 learning bridge, the RIC-622GE includes an electrical Fast Ethernet port (100BaseT), a Gigabit Ethernet port (1000BaseTx/Sx/Lx) and a single SDH/SONET STM-4/OC-12 port. The device collects statistics to enable performance monitoring and troubleshooting, provides loop detection, automatically recovers when the SDH/SONET loop situation ends, and offers fault propagation in both directions. The STM-4/OC-12c port supports four fixed priority egress queues, providing priority per 802.1p. The device differentiates between various user applications in case of congestion according to the VLAN priority field when in VLAN-aware mode. All frames are tagged at the device ingress. The added tag is stripped at the Fast Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet egress.

The small footprint of the 1U, 19-inch RIC-622GE saves space and co-location costs. It can be managed inband over the TDM network or out-of-band over the Ethernet network. An ASCII terminal can also be used for out-of-band management.