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Cable MSO Solutions

In order to reduce capital and operational expenditures, simplify network architecture, and offer more scalable triple play services, many Cable and MSO operators consider IP and Ethernet as the logical answers to providing next generation transport for their services. Foundry's rich set of routing and switching platforms allow Cable and MSO operators to achieve their goals while optimizing cap-ex and op-ex. All Foundry platforms ranging from the compact stackables to high end routers have been designed for ultra low latency and low jitter. This allows such service providers to easily meet the stringent requirements for reliable delivery of video and voice services.

Overview

Cable and MSO operators today are facing increasing competition from telecom operators planning to offer video services. In response, cable and MSO operators are gearing up to the challenge by upgrading their networks to be capable of offering higher-value bundled services to cable subscribers. The desire to offer more HDTV channels to subscribers leads to a manifold increase in the bandwidth carried by the network.

As the industry moves closer to adoption of DOCSIS 3.0, cable operators need to carefully plan the build-out and upgrade of their regional network accordingly. This migration period should be seamless to operators because many operators are likely to utilize their existing hybrid fiber coax infrastructure for some time. As a result, the regional network will have a requirement for a large number of QAM, CMTS and the emerging DMTS devices to be interconnected. Foundry's high-density solutions offer attractive advantages that translate to substantial savings in operational and capital costs.

Over the years, cable operators have built a high loyalty among their subscribers by offering a highly reliable service. As the transition to an IP-based delivery system occurs, this reliability needs to be maintained. Foundry's BigIron RX Series, NetIron MLX Series and NetIron XMR Series platforms are built on an advanced architecture that offer superior resiliency across all active components. Powered by advanced resiliency capabilities such as hitless software upgrade and hitless failover in Multi-Service IronWare, these platforms ensure a seamless transition to an IP- and Ethernet-based network for the cable operator. In addition to resiliency, these platforms employ an advanced Virtual Output Queuing (VOQ)-based architecture, which gives operators the benefit of fine-grained QoS for different traffic flows over a converged network.

For aggregation of CMTS systems with a compact edge switch, Foundry offers the NetIron CES 2000 Series—a compact 1 RU edge/aggregation switch with advanced capabilities such as Provider Bridges and Provider Backbone Bridges.

The NetIron XMR, MLX and CES 2000 Series are all built for compliance with MEF 9 and MEF 14 specifications for delivery of advanced Carrier Ethernet services to commercial customers.

Recent interest in offering business services over a cable infrastructure has led to the adoption of the Layer 2 VPN Business Services over DOCSIS specification. Foundry's NetIron XMR Series router is the ideal choice for a cable MSO operator planning to build a future-proof backbone network that is capable of offering such business services.

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Related Products

Product Description
FastIron Edge X Series Foundry's FastIron® Edge Switch X-series (FESX) products—the FastIron Edge X Series 424 (FESX424), the FastIron Edge X Series 448 (FESX448), the FastIron Edge X... Learn more
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NetIron XMR Series Backbone Routers Today's Service Providers face a number of challenges that require a new breed of solutions in order to ensure successful and profitable operation. Service Providers ... Learn more

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