RAD Unveils Resilient Fast Ethernet Ring Technology With Under 50 Millisecond Carrier-Class Restoration Capability

RFER Offers Backbone-Like Solution at Access Network Costs for Metro Enterprise Ring or Daisy-Chain Topologies

Tel Aviv, Israel, November 13, 2002: RAD Data Communications has announced that it has developed a new technology incorporated in its Megaplex data/voice multiplexer that provides self-healing capabilities on 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet fiber or copper rings. RAD's unique Resilient Fast Ethernet Ring (RFER) carrier-class technology can re-route traffic within 50 milliseconds in case of link failure on any segment of the ring. This enables enterprises, campuses, power companies, transportation companies and utilities to create a highly reliable network using dark fiber or dry copper in a ring topology. Survivability is further enhanced by RFER's modular, scalable support for multiple rings, which eliminates the risk of a single point of failure.

Resilient Fast Ethernet Ring uses VLANs to overcome the storming problems that occur when attempting to broadcast over Ethernet rings or when a packet is assigned an incorrect address.

Robust Like a Backbone Application But at Access Network Costs
RFER is implemented in the new ML-IP module for RAD's popular Megaplex family of modular integrated access multiplexers. The ML-IP is an Ethernet uplink module with up to 8 Mbps uplink capacity that can be ordered with either 10/100BaseT or 100BaseFx interfaces with 50-millisecond protection, and serves as the main link to the IP network. The Megaplex-based network can support up to 40 E1 lines in a ring or daisy-chain topology.

As is the case with SDH, RFER allows a total separation between rings, ensuring that a failure in one particular point will not bring down the entire network. "This robust network topology functions like a backbone solution," explains Ami Sofer, Megaplex Product Line Manager at RAD Data Communications, "but is available at access network costs."

EANTC Tested and Certified
This application has been tested and certified for service resilience and voice quality by the Berlin-based European Advanced Networking Test Center (EANTC). Results of testing performed at EANTC's labs confirmed that the ML-IP showed superb service resilience and quality for voice connections, that E1 TDM traffic was always properly prioritized and that the re-routing time for voice trunks exceeded requirements in all tests.

Boosts TDMoIP Capabilities
The ML-IP module also supports RAD's innovative TDM over IP (TDMoIP) technology, which transparently delivers legacy services over IP/Ethernet networks. With the ML-IP, the Megaplex empowers RAD's TDMoIP solutions with its vast variety of interfaces for voice and high and low speed data, its high port density and its excellent price per port performance. The versatile Megaplex platform is therefore the perfect addition to underpopulated next generation networks, allowing the transmission of all legacy services over IP.

The Megaplex is standards compliant, ensuring compatibility in multivendor environments worldwide.

About RAD
Established in 1981, privately owned RAD Data Communications (www.rad.com) has achieved international recognition as a major manufacturer of high quality access equipment for data communications and telecommunications applications. These solutions serve the data and voice access requirements of service providers, incumbent and new carriers, and enterprise networks, by reducing infrastructure investment costs while boosting competitiveness and profitability. The company's installed base exceeds 4,000,000 units and includes more than 150 carriers and operators around the world. These customers are supported by 18 RAD offices and more than 200 distributors in 105 countries.

RAD is a member of the RAD Group of companies, a world leader in networking and internetworking product solutions.

Contact:
Bob Eliaz, RAD Data Communications
+972-3-6458134
mailto:bob@rad.co.il

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