MRV to Demonstrate Simplified and Provisioned Cable MSO Interconnect Solution Enabling Business Ethernet Services

CHATSWORTH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC. today announced it will demonstrate the ability to provision end-to-end Carrier Ethernet services across multiple systems operator (MSO) networks at this year’s CableLabs Summer Conference 2010. The demonstration will use the company’s OptiSwitch® 900 intelligent Carrier Ethernet access demarcation combined with service provisioning and management system.

MRV Communications, Inc. is a leading provider of optical communication and IT infrastructure management solutions to service providers and enterprises around the world.

CableLabs Summer Conference showcases the latest in content and services for key technical, business, and strategic executives in the cable industry. The conference is being held Aug. 15-19 at the Keystone Resort and Conference Center in Keystone, Colorado.

The Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) defined the external network-to-network interface (E-NNI) standard to address many issues related to the inter-operator handoff of Ethernet services, including a common method of handling operation, administration and maintenance (OAM), class-of-service (CoS), and service level agreements (SLAs) to ensure that service levels are maintained when traffic is transported across other networks.

U.S. MSOs and international cable operators are expanding beyond their consumer television offerings into fast-growth markets of business network services and mobile backhaul networking. MSOs have been maximizing their profitability by rolling out Ethernet services backed up with SLAs. These operators have been growing the share of Ethernet services in their service offerings as evidenced by a recent Light Reading Insider report that estimates that the MSO share of the U.S. Ethernet market will rise from 20 percent to 25 percent to 30 percent in the next several years ("Cable Operators & Ethernet: Serious Business," January 2010).

Another emerging trend for long-distance networks is Carrier Ethernet interconnect services across multiple MSOs, which allows these operators to share their networks under a standard interconnect arrangement and technical solution while also avoiding complex service turn-up to verify each MSO’s Carrier Ethernet product and operational capabilities.

In addition to its E-NNI demo, MRV’s demonstration will highlight networking requirements and interface functionality at the MSO network-to-network interface (M-NNI) reference point to ensure interoperability between multiple operator metro Ethernet networks. The key elements of this demonstration are CoS mapping, standards-based Ethernet OAM and fault and alarm propagation. The demonstration will highlight industry best practices for MSO-to-MSO interconnection that extends from customer edge to Carrier Ethernet, with clear demarcation management points and end-to-end service level guarantees.

“The deployment of Ethernet Services by MSOs is maturing and gaining momentum. MRV has the innovative technology combined with a field proven solution portfolio and know-how and is well positioned to enable the delivery of commercial Ethernet services that transverse multiple MSO networks. This will further accelerate the growth of Ethernet Services in the MSOs’ service offerings,” said Mary Jane Gruninger, Optical Communications Systems president at MRV.

Earlier this year, MRV’s OptiSwitch 900 was selected as the Carrier Ethernet access platform for the Advanced Global Interconnect Showcase at the Ethernet Europe Show where it demonstrated end-to-end service visibility for global Ethernet interconnects spanning multiple operators’ networks across Europe.

About OptiSwitch

MRV's OptiSwitch® family is an award-winning line of compact carrier Ethernet switching platforms that range from the OptiSwitch 9000 metro Ethernet aggregation products to the OS900 demarcation series. OptiSwitch products offer service providers a full suite of carrier-grade Ethernet services along with high-availability, enhanced quality of service, security, TDM circuit emulation and Ethernet operation, administration and maintenance (OAM) support. This full suite of OAM tools creates flexible service awareness and rigid SLAs. OptiSwitch products meet IEEE, ITU, IETF standards and MEF specifications, offering complete control to simplify deployment and management while maintaining full interoperability and visibility into customer and provider networks.

About MRV Communications, Inc.

The Optical Communications Systems division of MRV Communications is a global provider of Carrier Ethernet, WDM transport and IT infrastructure management solutions since 1988. MRV products enable the delivery of next-generation optical transport and Carrier Ethernet services over any fiber infrastructure. Since its inception, MRV has demonstrated expertise and experience offering innovative products that address future challenges while reducing network complexity and costs. Delivering optical communication solutions to service providers and enterprise around the world, MRV operates R&D centers in North America, Europe and Asia, along with 50 support centers, and 21 sales offices around the world.