Net Insight Introduces Carrier-Class Switch for Metro Aggregation with 2.5 Gbps Interfaces for OC-48/STM-16

Net Insight's switches combine the real-time capabilities of circuit switching with the dynamic resource management of packet switching technology. The Nimbra 291 provides a multi-service platform for interconnection with DWDM fiber backbones, and thus, allowing new services and significantly improving both capacity utilization and scalability all the way down to the access network.

With the 2.5 Gbps SONET/SDH interface, the Nimbra 291 can optimize OC-48 or STM-16 links by integrating a multi-service DTM transport layer (Dynamic synchronous Transfer Mode). This brings dynamic bandwidth and service provisioning to static SONET/SDH point-to-point core backbones. With Nimbra 291, operators can avoid the costly and inefficient forklift upgrading characteristics of SONET/SDH infrastructure. By dividing the OC-48 or STM-16 capacity into increments of 512 Kbps, it offers linear scalability for optimized and cost-efficient growth.

The Nimbra 291 constitutes a cornerstone in any network dedicated to the transport of rich streaming media. It has capacity to switch multiple 270 Mbps streams of uncompressed SDI video (Serial Digital Interface) and any quality of compressed video over IP/Ethernet or ASI (Asynchronous Serial Interface). In real-time with maintained 100 percent QoS, together with best effort data and telephony.

At IBC 2001 (International Broadcasting Convention), the Nimbra 291 performed in a live demonstration of media networking services. As an integrated part of Carrier1's ProStream media network, the Nimbra 291 distributed video and data in a multi-node switched network, connecting Amsterdam and Munich.

"The Nimbra 291 is developed to meet two significant needs. Firstly, the need for a solution that delivers any type of streaming media with 100 percent Quality of Service in large networks. Secondly, the need for a platform that integrates with existing equipment, improving its performance for maximum return of investment", says Bengt J. Olsson, VP Product Management, Net Insight.

Nimbra 291 is Net Insight's second network switch based on the Twintin ASIC, an 8 Gbps single-chip broadband switch core.

IP Over DTM Services
The Nimbra 291 comes with Net Insight's new services-enabled software to keep network service providers ahead of value commoditization and radically save on operating costs. The Nimbra series switches are shipped with Nimbra Operating System (NIMOS) and a new IP Over DTM Services Pack (IPOD), including OSPF routing over logical DTM topologies and DHCP IP address allocation. Administrators can connect a DTM network like a ring, mesh, or semi-mesh, but make the IP routing structures hierarchical. Direct channels can be established between routers changing the logical structure of the IPOD network and making these routers virtually adjacent.

The new service pack will also include the transport of E1/T1 PDH signals as well as the transport of 270 Mbps ITU-R BT.601/656 SDI video signals. The SDI transport is uncompressed and the channel is uni-directional. Different channels/services may be provisioned in opposite directions, all independent of each other, supporting asymmetric traffic patterns more efficiently.

The inherent security and service isolation of DTM channelization, whereas the over-subscription of a best-effort IP channel will not affect a guaranteed real-time video channel, underscores one of the unique aspects of what Net Insight's solutions provide where the professional media and IP world meet.


Among Nimbra 291's key features are:
-Guaranteed QoS, traffic separation to guarantee an undisturbed path through the network. No buffering, no packet loss and very low and consistent latency.
-Strictly non-blocking with an 8 Gbps switch matrix.
-Support for broadcasting and multicasting.
-One OC-48/STM-16 2,5 Gbps DTM port for interconnection with DWDM and Transport Networks.
-Possible to provision up to eight (8) 270 Mbps SDI video signals over one OC-48 link.
- Five DTM ports, providing backbone aggregation of DTM links.

For more information, please contact:
Tomas Duffy, CEO, Net Insight AB.
Tel. + 46 8 685 04 00, e-mail: tomas.duffy@netinsight.net
Bengt J. Olsson, VP Product Management, Net Insight AB.
Tel. + 46 8 685 04 68, e-mail: bengt.j.olsson@netinsight.net
- Dynamic bandwidth provisioning, bandwidth can be configured by operators "on-the-fly" without service interruption, software upgrading or new hardware installations.
- Redundancy, dual power supplies to ensure safe and secure operation and high availability. Support for dual ring topology, ensuring full DTM channel protection.
- Simple management through wide ranging management and configuration features including SNMP, CLI, Web-based interface and Nimbra Vision graphic management software.

Pictures
High-resolution pictures of the Nimbra 291 can be downloaded from http://www.netinsight.net/pressroom.asp