Fast Ethernet over E3 or T3 NTUs

RAD’s RICi-E3 and RICi-T3 intelligent network termination units (NTUs) connect Fast Ethernet LANs over E3 or T3 access lines. In addition to providing Ethernet to TDM conversion, these network demarcation devices enable Ethernet LAN extension over an SDH/SONET WAN (Wide Area Network), with remote fault monitoring, performance measurements, end-to-end traffic separation and guaranteed service rates.

Part of RAD’s EtherAccess® suite of Ethernet access products, the RICi-E3 and RICi-T3 NTUs are ideal for bandwidth-intensive, Ethernet private line applications such as point-to-point branch communication and reporting for financial institutions, as well as for wireless service extension in microwave radio networks over E3/T3 backhaul.

• Reduce CapEx (capital expenditures) by enabling delivery of new Ethernet services over legacy SDH/SONET backbones using existing E3, T3 access

• Increase carriers and service providers’ customer reach

• Guarantee service differentiation and QoS per application

• Lower operating expenditures (OpEx) by optimizing link capacity

• Support multi-vendor interoperability

• Minimize service disruption and reduce operating costs with remote diagnostics

The RICi-E3 and RICi-T3 are intelligent network termination units (NTUs), providing Ethernet LAN extension at 34Mbps or 45Mbps, over unframed E3 or framed/unframed T3 access lines, respectively.

Part of RAD’s EtherAccess® suite of Ethernet access products, the RICi-E3 and RICi-T3 NTUs enable Fast Ethernet connectivity over SDH/SONET backbones, as well as delivery of Ethernet private line (EPL) services requiring high-speed, dedicated point-to-point communication channels. A typical such application is branch-to-center reporting in financial institutions. Other applications include wireless service extension in microwave radio networks over E3/T3 backhaul, allowing operators to expand their network footprint while reducing their capital expenses, via the use of economical Ethernet links instead of costly E3/T3 ports.

The RICi-E3 and RICi-T3 Fast Ethernet NTUs are interoperable with third-party devices, using X.86 standard protocol. Additionally, they offer remote fault indication and diagnostics with secure, end-to-end traffic separation and guaranteed service rates.

The RICi-E3 and RICi-T3 support remote loopbacks on the TDM physical layer, and ping and trace-route diagnostics for the IP layer. A fault propagation mechanism notifies the local and remote equipment about faulty conditions and shuts down the user port in cases of link failure.

RAD’s RICi NTUs are managed in-band from the Fast Ethernet user port or remotely through the TDM port, while local management is performed via an ASCII terminal. The devices are accessed using Telnet, a Web browser or SNMP. RADview-Lite, RAD’s SNMP-based system, provides fault management and monitoring, with a GUI cut-through to ConfiguRAD, a Web-based tool for element configuration and diagnostics.

Management traffic and user Ethernet traffic are transported together on the same Ethernet flow, but separated by different VLANs.