Ciena Launches New Ethernet Service Modules

Ciena, a provider of communications networking equipment, software and services, has launched new G10 and G10X ethernet service modules that deliver Layer 2 ethernet aggregation, switching and transport capabilities as simple plug-and-play upgrades, to the CN 4200 FlexSelect advanced services platform family.

Ciena has reported that the new modules simplify IP/ethernet service architectures and optimize the cost and efficiency of network resources by reducing the number of router ports, metro WDM client ports and wavelengths, and standalone ethernet switches.

Ciena’s MEF-certified CN 4200 platform is now ethernet-optimized at Layer 1 and Layer 2. By combining programmable service interfaces and robust OTN transport with the new G10 and G10X ethernet service modules, the CN 4200 can aggregate and switch a large number of 10/100/1000 Mbps and 10 gigabit ethernet services into right-sized and efficiently-utilized OTN metro transport connections.

Ciena claims that this integration of intelligent optical transport and service-aware packet switching will enable service providers to gain significant operational efficiency by requiring fewer, more-centralized routers with better port utilization, and reduces or eliminates the need for deploying standalone ethernet switches in most aggregation sites.

The G10 ethernet services module features 10 ports of 10/100/1000 Mbps ethernet while the G10X ethernet services module features one port of 10 Gigabit ethernet. Both modules provide advanced Layer 2 switching including support for Ethernet operations, administration & maintenance (OAM), link aggregation, hierarchical QoS and connection-oriented Ethernet features.