RAD Data Communications has announced that it has become the first vendor in the industry to deploy Carrier Ethernet mobile demarcation devices (MDDs) that incorporate timing over packet capabilities with enhanced SLA assurance tools. The deployment was made by a major Tier 1 European fixed-mobile carrier.
MDDs are deployed to mark a clear demarcation between the mobile operator's network and the transport provider's network. RAD's MDDs enable carriers and operators to benefit from advanced traffic management, enhanced performance monitoring and sophisticated timing over packet technology, all of which provide end-to-end service level agreement (SLA) assurance.
"For new mobile networks, which will run converged data and voice over packet transport, there is no real alternative to having an MDD because it's not feasible to provide SLA assurances only from the edge," states Ronen Guri, Director of Product Management and Business Development for Mobile Backhaul Solutions at RAD Data Communications. "They must provide it end-to-end instead, and that can only be done with an MDD," he explains. "Mobile operators, therefore, will be demanding that their transport providers deploy MDDs so that they will be able to verify the SLAs that have been contracted end-to-end."
RAD's SyncToP timing over packet suite, which the company has incorporated into its MDDs, combines IEEE 1588-2008, Synchronous Ethernet (Sync-E) and Adaptive Clock Recovery. This unique flexibility supports the simultaneous use of different clock transfer methodologies. This provides backhaul suppliers with the ability to match different clocking technologies used by the transport network and the base stations, as well as help them reduce capital expenses (CapEx).
"RAD's MDDs surmount a major hurdle in moving to an all packet backhaul network," Guri concludes. "Their best-of-breed attributes provide superior performance and robustness compared to other solutions available in the market."