Salira Unveils Carrier-Class Access Architecture for PONs

Salira Optical Network Systems Inc. announced what it calls the first carrier-class access architecture for Ethernet Passive Optical Networks (EPON) that delivers affordable broadband services by extending the life of existing legacy TDM services, while facilitating a migration to new opportunities in packet-based multi-services.

Salira's architecture brings fundamental advances to the local access network by enabling unprecedented Service Level Agreement (SLA) management, real time Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation (DBA) and remote service creation and subscriber management, officials also said.

"We believe that service providers should not have to re-invent the access portion of their networks," said Herb Martin, Salira's CEO. "The evolved access network should enable service providers to maintain their existing business models as they build out their IP-based networks. Rather than write off past investments, Salira will enable service providers to deliver a combination of legacy TDM services and packet-based services in an architecture that will reduce their total cost of ownership."

EPON's economic advantages are based on the scalability of optical Ethernet bandwidth, the shared amortization of fiber infrastructure among multiple business customers, the elimination of OutSide Plant (OSP) power and electronics, and the reduction of optics and electronics in the Central Office, officials said. The Salira Access Architecture further enhances basic EPON benefits by enabling service providers to deploy dynamic packet-based bandwidth services more efficiently to their business customers, while simultaneously providing differentiated services for next-generation voice, data and video networks.

The Salira Access Architecture is composed of three interlocking components:

• The Access Operating System, a software-rich environment designed to handle the service and operational challenges of access networks today and in the future
• The Service Abstraction Layer, which will support the delivery of a variety of service applications like Multi-Protocol Transport, Premium Class of Service, IP VPN, Transparent LAN, High-Speed Internet and MPLS
• The Access Management System, which provides Element Management, Service Creation and Subscriber Management capabilities that will interface with standardized billing systems, and support full history and reporting capability in a standard database

The first implementation of the Salira Access Architecture will be an EPON platform that will enable the break-through delivery of affordable broadband services. The company plans to release more specific product details regarding this EPON platform at a later date, officials at Santa Clara, Calif.-based Salira added.