Sorrento Networks Unveils 10G Optical Ethernet Transport Solution

Published 12th January 2009

New line card increases bandwidth capacity by factor of five and enhances ability to support additional data services...

12 January, 2009—Sorrento Networks, a global provider of metro optical access solutions, today launched its 10 Gigabit Optical Ethernet Transport (OET) line card. The new Sorrento OET line card fuses the latest Ethernet and WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) technologies, enabling users to transport and manage multiple Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) circuits on the same line card. As a result, users can reduce costs, increase GigE interfaces up to five times on existing systems and improve efficiencies for all Ethernet transport applications.

“By adding a new layer of intelligence to WDM technology, we are providing our customers with end-to-end Gigabit Ethernet and taking them to the next level in bandwidth capacity in the most cost-conscious and efficient way possible,” said Jim Nevelle, CEO, Sorrento Networks.

With the increase in corporate network traffic, storage area networks, consumer broadband and increasingly, mobile backhaul, the demand for more bandwidth continues to grow exponentially. WDM allows service providers and enterprises to accommodate this bandwidth growth and avoid costly new fibre build-outs.

Sorrento’s new OET line card offers built-in layer 2 controls that can be switched on to enable customers to control Ethernet traffic and offer more capabilities in their infrastructure. Additionally, this line card allows users to set up a 10G ‘superstructure’ of existing ring optical systems that dramatically increases bandwidth capacity and gives them the ability to support additional data services. This means service providers and enterprises can offer Ethernet services to their customers in a matter of days, versus months, giving Sorrento customers a significant competitive advantage.

“The OET line card enables Sorrento’s service provider and enterprise customers to turn on new Ethernet services quickly, which means a shorter time to Ethernet transport and/or billable revenue,” said Michael Howard, principal analyst and co-founder, Infonetics Research. “This move into a pragmatic and efficient Ethernet transport over WDM represents a strategic move for Sorrento to address a fast-growing market need.”

Transporting multiple Ethernet circuits over multiple node WDM systems has historically required an optical multiplexer coupled with a layer 2 switch. This architecture can be costly due to the amount of equipment involved and the length of time to market. Sorrento’s OET line card collapses multiple pieces of equipment into one WDM line card that offers multiplexing, electrical ROADM-like functionality, switching and protection, thereby greatly reducing capital expenditures and improving efficiency for all Ethernet transport applications. Sorrento’s first OET line card is compatible with Sorrento’s GigaMux 1600/3200 optical transport system.

Additional product features include:
- A built-in layer 2 switch that enables add, drop, mux, pass-through and ROADM- like functionality, which can be manipulated by the customer to be turned on or off as needed
- Dual 10G line-side support for sub-50ms protection and internal pass-through
- FEC-enabled 100-km line-side distances
- Fully pluggable architecture with flexible SFP-based clients and XFP-based line-side
- Remote provisioning and management that eliminates truck rolls

Availability
The Sorrento OET line card will be generally available worldwide on Jan. 30, 2009. For more information, visit http://www.sorrentonet.com/products/10GOET/index.html or call +44 (0) 20.7415.4030.