In our first 'Viewpoint' for 2011, Ian Philip our Technical Manager, took a look at the world of MSAN's - Multi Service Access Nodes.
Let's start by providing a definition for MSAN's - Multi Service Access Nodes which are network devices that provide the boundary between customer interfaces and the transport network. Before MSAN's were developed a telecommunications operator would have had one piece of hardware dedicated to delivery of a particular service offering. For example :-
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A telephone switch for voice services.
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IP-DSLAM for Internet services.
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PDH Multiplexer for digital leased lines.
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ATM / SDH Switch or multiplexer for the back-haul of traffic.
Each of the above service offerings would have required its owns rack space, power supply and cabling as well as potentially a different skill set for each offering in terms of configuration, operation and management. This is a costly model. Each service requires it's own dedicated hardware, software, OAM and skills to function. The overall result being increased CAPEX and OPEX.
MSAN's overcome many of these service limitations by integrating multiple network functions into a single platform. Customer facing services such as traditional voice, DSL and leased line services can be provisioned as well as new emerging IP based services such as optical Ethernet, VoIP and -Video on Demand', all delivered from the same hardware.
MSAN's can:
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provide traditional TDM based functions such as Add / Drop and channel back facilities.
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act as high speed layer 2 and layer 3 switches.
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provide CESoIP services enabling the transport of legacy TDM interfaces over IP.
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provide back-haul of customer traffic towards the core of the network. Traditionally this has been achieved over SDH but modern MSAN's can provide pure packet back-haul too.
British Telecoms 21CN is a prime example of a modern use of MSAN's. These take various access technologies and aggregate them onto a single back-haul network technology. This includes converting analogue voice into VoIP using the MSAN as a media gateway. Yet another example of how an MSAN integrates network functions into a single platform.
A real benefit of using MSAN's is to reduce CAPEX and OPEX by combining service offerings into a single piece of equipment, using a standard power source with a standard cable set in a relatively small footprint. Configuration, operation and management of all services can be achieved via a common set of tools aiding fault finding and new service provision.
So how can we help? - Our MSAN's provide cross connect, add/drop and channel back functions as well as CESoIP services enabling transport of legacy PDH interfaces over IP networks and can be divided into 3 categories :-
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MileGate - The beauty of MileGate is that it is a hybrid MSAN allowing back-haul of a myriad of different services over either traditional SDH networks or modern IP networks. MileGate offers state of the art Ethernet and native TDM services out of a single network element. Services can be transported over SDH up to STM-16 or via multiple 10Gig Ethernet interfaces. On the customer side MileGate offers fibre and xDSL Ethernet services and extensive voice interfaces such as POTS, ISDN, or E&M. For TDM data services, MileGate provides narrowband and broadband interfaces, for example E1, V.24, V.35, X.21 and RS-485 and with CESoIP functions TDM services can be back-hauled over IP. MileGate provides a future proof platform to integrate with an existing SDH network whilst at the same time allowing migration to IP.
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UMUX (Universal Multiplexer) - The UMUX has been evolving now for nearly 2 decades! It's a rock solid multiplexer platform with STM-4 capability. It can be used in a wide variety of scenarios such as the integration of legacy voice coupled with the necessity to provide dedicated Ethernet interfaces and xDSL services. The UMUX also has the capability to act as a VoIP media gateway via H.248 or MEGACO. The UMUX can also connect directly to large telephone exchanges via V.5.x interfaces. It's equally at home in smaller installations providing cross connect and add/drop functions for lower densities of voice and data interfaces.
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XMP-1 - The XMP-1 provides back-haul over SDH with capability up to STM-16. The XMP-1 has large cross connect capacity of up to 8064 x 8064 x 64 kbps. It's a modular, compact Next-Generation multiplexer. It can be fitted with 2 Mbps, Ethernet and SDH interface cards. STM-1/STM-4 (optical and electrical) or STM16 (optical) interfaces are available for SDH connection. Its efficient cross-connect allows separate switching at 64 kbps/2 Mbps and SDH level. The cross-connect capacity enables separate switching of up to 252 x E1 at 64 kbps and up to 48 STM-1 signals at SDH level (VC-12/3/4).
If you'd like to know more about MSAN's and how they could fit in your network infrastructure, or have any comments on the above then we'd be delighted to hear from you. Just contact us!
