|
VoxTechnologies
Enterprise Network Series
|
MainStreet X.25 Service
Release 1.2
Alcatel's MainStreet X.25 Service is a high-performance, feature rich,
standards-compliant X.25 product suitable for public switched data networks,
large service provider networks, and corporate data networks.
The MainStreet X.25 Service is based on a distributed packet processing
architecture. All X.25 call processing and switching occurs on the Packet Engine
(PE) card. The PE - a switch on a card -- is a full featured packet switching
subsystem that supports both frame relay and X.25 services simultaneously.
Up to 64 PE cards can be connected via a FASTbus ring to create a high
capacity X.25 and frame relay switching node with high speed interfaces to the
MainStreet frame relay-to-ATM (FRATM) Interworking Unit for asynchronous
transfer mode (ATM) connectivity. The system architecture enables advanced
protocol encapsulation and conversion features - X.25/FR/ATM network and service
interworking are supported on a single platform.
The MainStreet X.25 Service affords the following major benefits:
- Flexibility - It is the most flexible X.25 product available, offering
seamless interworking with all other standards-based X.25 products and
networks.
- Versatility - It supports both X.25 and frame relay services
simultaneously and interchangeably on the same card; ports can be
reconfigured through software as service needs change.
- Simplicity - The simplicity of the installation, operation, and support is
unsurpassed with full graphical user interface (GUI)-based network
management and software-driven configuration.
- Scalability - Each service - X.25, frame relay, TDM, ISDN, and ATM - can
be individually introduced and scaled to cost-effectively meet the
requirements of a large range of network applications. This reduces the
initial risk of investment while maintaining a linear cost per port as
application demands increase.
- Reduced Costs - Significant cost savings can be achieved through
consolidation of X.25 and other services on an integrated and fully managed
MainStreet network.
Integrating X.25 with frame relay and ATM
The MainStreet X.25 Service uses frame relay permanent virtual circuits
(PVCs) and ATM virtual circuit connections (VCCs) as highly reliable virtual
trunks between network nodes. An advanced routing system provides features such
as dynamic routing, instantaneous rerouting and load balancing on a
packet-by-packet basis, rather than a call-by-call basis. The MainStreet X.25
solution offers an immediate migration path from traditional low speed lines and
trunks to high speed backbone networks operating at rates of up to E3/T3. This
approach provides the benefits of X.25 error correction combined with the high
capacity and low delay of frame relay and ATM.
With the FASTbus option, up to 64 PE cards and multiple shelves can be
interconnected to form a high capacity X.25 and frame relay switching node, with
high speed interfaces to the FRATM Interworking Unit for ATM connectivity.
Featuring a state-of-the-art design, the MainStreet system is unique in offering
advanced protocol interworking capabilities, such as X.25/FR/ATM network and
service interworking, on a single platform.
High performance X.25 switching
The technology underlying the MainStreet X.25 Service is several generations
newer than the installed base of legacy equipment, bypassing the capacity and
performance limits imposed by the 1970s' and 1980s' designs of existing X.25
equipment. Call setup and packet throughput rates are 10 to 15 times higher than
other competing systems. The MainStreet X.25 Service supports access speeds up
to 2 Mb/s, easily saturating T1/E1 links. A fully provisioned MainStreet system
can employ 64 PE cards, for a total switching capacity of 100,000 packets per
second and up to 12,800 call setups per second per system.
Cost-effective deployment and migration
Where a 3600 MainStreet network is already in place, the MainStreet X.25
solution is highly cost effective. By simply adding a PE card to any 3600
MainStreet series node, X.25 switching capability is achieved. In fact, many
existing X.25 networks use MainStreet equipment as the transport infrastructure.
These networks offer ideal opportunities to consolidate packet and TDM services
on a single platform.
For networks that do not currently have MainStreet equipment, MainStreet X.25
represents a critical part of a multiservices strategy at a very low cost. 3600
MainStreet nodes can be deployed as edge devices on a high capacity Alcatel
7470-based FR/ATM backbone infrastructure. Network operators can choose to
replace legacy X.25 equipment altogether or gradually migrate subscribers to a
MainStreet X.25 network, while maintaining current service offerings and the
associated revenues.
An integrated multiservice network significantly reduces logistics and
maintenance expenses. Because the PE card supports X.25 and frame relay services
simultaneously and interchangeably on each port, X.25 subscribers on a
MainStreet X.25 network can easily migrate to frame relay through software
configuration changes without disrupting service. The physical access lines and
switch hardware remain untouched. This eliminates the typical costs involved in
coordinating hardware and software upgrades in large networks.
Integrated network management
The Alcatel 5620 Network Manager (NM) provides end-to-end service management
of X.25, frame relay, TDM, ISDN, and ATM networks. The powerful GUI allows new
facilities to be added in seconds, performs traffic control operations and fault
detection, monitors connections and gathers statistics. The 5620 NM provides
comprehensive change management to facilitate scheduled or immediate service
provisions.
Billing mediation
The Alcatel SVC Billing Mediation platform, formerly the Data Collector,
provides accounting record collection and aggregation services for MainStreet
X.25 networks. Capabilities include:
- secure collection of SVC and PVC usage-based accounting records generated
by the X.25 switches
- subsequent processing, aggregation, formatting and validation of the
collected accounting records
- distribution to downstream billing applications
The SVC Billing Mediation platform connects to the X.25 switches via X.25
SVCs.
Network user identification validation from Nexus Telecom
In partnership with Nexus Telecom, a premier supplier of public and private
network support applications, Alcatel has integrated its MainStreet X.25 Service
with the NexusPASS NUI (network user identifier) validation server. The NUI
validation server provides authentication of user access via a secure database
containing NUIs, passwords, and associated facilities. This partnership offers
access to state-of-the-art NUI support as an integral aspect of the MainStreet
X.25 Service.
Multiprotocol support
Alcatel's 36110 and 36111 MainStreet Multiprotocol Concentrators (MPC) are an
integral part of the Alcatel packet switching portfolio, extending the range of
access of the network by supporting synchronous and asynchronous terminals,
system network architecture (SNA) and LANs in conjunction with MainStreet X.25.
The 36110 and 36111 MainStreet MPC products are designed to handle the
ever-increasing volume of data traffic on today's networks. They support a wide
range of protocols both on the user side (PAD, X.25, SNA, IP, IPX) and on the
WAN (X.25, frame relay, ISDN).
Both the 36110 and 36111 MainStreet MPCs are fully modular and can provide
flexible access to the network.
The 36110 and 36111 MainStreet MPC products are managed by the Alcatel 5620
NM as part of an end-to-end solution.
Related