Data Services & Network Convergence

CoreDirector's integrated data solutions and industry-leading intelligence and reliability provide network operators with a cost-effective, robust solution that facilitates convergence to a single core data network, while being able to generate new revenues with differentiated data service offerings. CoreDirector supports a suite of data-aware solutions that map packets received on CoreDirector Ethernet interfaces to SONET/SDH circuits (via Generic Framing Procedure (GFP) and Virtual Concatenation (VCAT)) and provide Layer 2 processing and interworking functionality.

To support data traffic on CoreDirector, FlexSelect OS maintains a mapping database of the individual data flows to optical channels and monitors the data flow rates into the optical channels. This provides critical information for coordinating the tracking of data and optical resource inventory and service quality. Utilizing Link Capacity Adjustment Scheme (LCAS), FlexSelect OS automatically resizes virtually concatenated optical channels to accommodate changes in service bandwidth. Data services are delivered utilizing CoreDirector's high availability, automation, service level differentiation, and cost-efficient architecture without sacrificing the ability to manage services end-to-end.

MPLS Transport
Using a combination of TDM and data solutions, CoreDirector can be deployed as the "Services Gateway" for aggregation and forwarding of TDM and data services from the edge/metro network to the TDM core or an MPLS core network. Edge/Metro network service aggregation and forwarding to a data core traditionally is supported by a combination of multiple ADMs/MSPPs and/or Ethernet switches for aggregation and TDM traffic forwarding plus edge routers for data traffic termination and forwarding. A single CoreDirector supports this application, providing as much as 80% savings compared to the cost of traditional solutions. An example of this is depicted in the diagram below. It shows a single, high-capacity CoreDirector CI aggregating multiple types of TDM (e.g. voice-over-TDM) and data (riding on Frame Relay, ATM, DS3, etc.) services. CoreDirector CI appropriately forwards the TDM services to the TDM core. Data services riding on multiple protocols can be transported to the MPLS core via Pseudowire Emulation Edge-to-Edge(PWE3) functionality. CoreDirector data functionality also supports Ethernet Private Line Services, Private LAN Services and Virtual Private LAN Services.

CoreDirector is a cost-effective, reliable "Services Gateway" for metro data services aggregation.

Router Interconnect
In addition to Layer 2 and interworking functionality, CoreDirector provides the highest optical switch Ethernet interface density per standard telco bay, with up to 640 x GbE or 64 x 10GbE per bay. CoreDirector Ethernet interfaces, with GFP-based Ethernet over SONET/SDH mapping provide network operators up to a 50% reduction in the cost of connecting routers to the optical network vs. the legacy Packet-over-SONET (POS) alternative. In addition to interface cost savings, deploying CoreDirector for router interconnect provides the following additional benefits to service providers:

• Port Connection Flexibility: Any of the CoreDirector GbE ports connect to any given wavelength
• Enhanced Protection: CoreDirector protection and restoration mechanisms protect the traffic in the event of multiple failures. Also, the time slots of a virtual concatenated circuit can be assigned across multiple paths
• Improved Efficiency: CoreDirector combines the data traffic with TDM traffic on the same links