The globalization of the enterprise is driving widespread implementation of Ethernet services to support global communications networks, but implementing these networks requires overcoming significant challenges. These global networks must not only provide high bandwidth and security at a reasonable cost, they must also overcome the reality that there is no single provider domain that spans multiple provider networks. Bridging provider networks means resolving issues like maintaining QOS (Quality of Service) mappings and monitoring SLAs (Service Level Agreements) as well as supporting the use of technologies like VPLS (Virtual Private LAN Service), L2/L3 VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) and MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) that will be required to bridge connections, while seamlessly bridging the edge boundary between two providers.

IP Infusion provides a suite of products that enable and facilitate provider edge bridging utilizing standardized Provider Back Bridging (PBB-802.1ah) and PBB-TE (802.1Qay). These products coupled with IP Infusion’s Carrier Ethernet and MPLS solutions represent a full suite of products to support both the provider edge and Carrier Ethernet.

Carrier Ethernet faces many challenges in terms of matching the reliability traditionally seen in Sonet (Synchronous Optical Network) networks, which provide performance and availability ratings at 99.9999%. The biggest challenge is providing connection services that are resilient and which offer high availability while also lowering both CAPEX (Capital Expenditures) and OPEX (Operational Expenditures). The Ethernet OAM (Operations, Administration and Management) and MPLS standards were established to help meet these challenges. The key is to have the capability to provide end-to-end OAM, OSS (Operations Support Systems) and provisioning with minimal truck rolls.

IP Infusion provides control plane software that addresses Ethernet OAM requirements as well as a full suite of MPLS software products.