The ESLM maps Ethernet packets to SONET/SDH frames using industrystandard mechanisms: Generic Framing Procedure (GFP), Virtual Concatenation (VCAT) and Link Capacity Adjustment Scheme (LCAS). This module supports 10 x GbE or 1 x 10GbE ports and up to 64 SONET/SDH Virtual Concatenation Groups (VCGs), providing 20 Gb/s of full duplex packet-switching capacity. Two ESLMs can be configured to provide equipment protection, using link aggregation across the two modules or to realize a full 40 Gb/s of any-to-any switching capacity. Supporting any port to any port Layer 2 switching functionality, the ESLM provides the flexibility to efficiently manage data traffic flows through the network. The module delivers a rich suite of per-flow Class/Quality of Service (C/QoS) traffic management capabilities, including classification, metering, marking, queuing and policing that can be used to enforce Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

The GELM supports Layer 1 Ethernet tunneling and also uses GFP, VCAT and LCAS for mapping Ethernet packets to SONET/SDH frames and right-sizing bandwidth tunnels across the network to transport the data traffic. Supporting twenty GbE ports, this high-density module delivers an even lower cost for CoreDirector FS GbE interfaces. This module is used for cost-effective native GbE hand-offs where Layer 2 switching functionality is not required.

Integration of Layer 2 switching functionality makes the CoreDirector FS a cost-effective solution for aggregating metro/regional TDM and data traffic. By combining TDM and Ethernet solutions, the CoreDirector FSserves as the gateway switch for aggregating metro/regional network traffic and forwarding the traffic to TDM or IP/MPLS cores or local services network elements. Metro/Regional network traffic aggregation and forwarding is traditionally supported by a combination of multiples of next-generation Multiservice Provisioning Platforms (MSPPs), Digital Crossconnect Systems (DCSs) and/or Ethernet switches. A single CoreDirector FS supports this application, providing equipment cost savings up to 40 percent over the traditional solution.

Additionally, native Ethernet interfaces on the CoreDirector FS offer service providers the ability to evolve to a more efficient network, with higher levels of utilization than experienced today. CoreDirector FS multiplexing and switching capabilities enable Ethernet traffic, mapped to SONET/SDH circuits, to be combined on the same circuits as TDM traffic, allowing higher bandwidth utilization. No longer do network wavelengths need to be dedicated for TDM- and Ethernet-only traffic.

The CoreDirector FS Multiservice Optical Switch is a high-capacity multiservice, multi-protocol switching system that consolidates the functionality of Add/Drop Multiplexers (ADMs)/MSPPs, DCSs and Ethernet switches into a single, high-capacity system. This combination optimizes the CoreDirector FS for the aggregation and forwarding of both TDM and data traffic in core, regional and/or metro networks. The CoreDirector FS offers service providers the ability to reduce significantly their network capital costs through reductions in equipment, space, power and spares, while also reducing operational costs via network simplification. The CoreDirector FS lowers the cost and risk associated with the evolution from TDM-based networks to Ethernet-based networks.

Ciena’s CoreDirector FS is the worldwide market leader for reliable (greater than 99.999 percent), intelligent mesh network deployments, with over 25 live mesh networks deployed worldwide. CoreDirector FS mesh networks haveproven significant OPEX and CAPEX savings via provisioning and inventory process automation and reduction in network resource requirements.

Ciena may make changes from time to time to the products or specifications contained herein without notice.