Backhaul Aggregator

New aggregator from Copper Mountain Networks consolidates traffic from multiple Copperedge DSL concentrators onto shared wide area network circuits, possibly cutting backhaul costs.

by Wayne Kawamoto [March 14, 2001]

Copper Mountain Networks introduced the CopperEdge WAN Aggregator, which is designed to reduce backhaul costs by aggregating traffic from multiple CopperEdge DSL concentrators onto shared wide area network (WAN) circuits.

Available in two chassis configurations—the two-slot CopperEdge 142 WAN Aggregator and the five-slot CopperEdge 144 WAN Aggregator—Copper Mountain's broadband networking solution is designed to enable providers with installed networks of CopperEdge 200 and CopperEdge 150 DSL concentrators to further enhance the cost-efficiencies of their operations and the scalability of their services.

According to the company, Copper Mountain's CopperEdge 142/144 WAN Aggregators are NEBS-compliant, built to ETSI standards, and suitable for deployment in both central office (CO) and large-scale multi-tenant unit (MTU) environments, domestically and internationally.

Copper Mountain claims that service providers who collocate need additional DSL concentrators in COs and wiring closets in large MTU buildings, and must typically lease additional WAN circuits to backhaul traffic from each concentrator. Copper Mountain's CopperEdge WAN Aggregators may enable providers to reduce their recurrent, monthly WAN backhaul costs by eliminating the need to add a new WAN circuit each time they deploy additional concentrators in COs or MTU buildings.

Copper Mountain's CopperEdge 142/144 family of products are designed to aggregate traffic from two or more CopperEdge DSL concentrators onto the most cost-effective WAN backhaul-transport available. With the appropriate WAN modules, providers may be able to send aggregated traffic over four or eight T1/E1 IMA lines (at cost-effective sub-DS3 speeds), over a 45-Mbps DS3 ATM circuit (or E3 ATM circuit), or over a 155 Mbps STM-1/OC-3c optical circuit.

"Copper Mountain's CopperEdge DSL concentrators with IP service intelligence already enable broadband providers to cost-effectively provision and easily scale their T1 and DSL networks by aggregating traffic from multiple subscribers and for multiple services on a concentrator-by-concentrator basis," said Mike Cunningham, senior product marketing manager for Copper Mountain.

"Now, with the introduction of the CopperEdge 142 and 144 WAN Aggregators, Copper Mountain is providing its customers with a complete aggregation solution. Since the CopperEdge WAN Aggregator interfaces with domestic and international backhaul transport media and meets domestic and international standards, it is a globally deployable solution."

Availability and pricing
The CopperEdge 142 and 144 WAN Aggregators will be generally available in April 2001 at a U.S. list price starting at $20,410, depending on configuration.

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