Laurel Networks drops in video solution to routing line

Hoping to hop on the momentum generated by large carriers moving into the video market, Laurel Networks this week launched two new line cards for its ST200 router that allow carriers to support a variety of new services.

The new cards--a 10 gigabit-per-second Ethernet-optimized network processing blade and a 10 gig Ethernet physical interface card, will give carriers the ability to support subscriber management, quality of service and security features when delivering IP-based video, voice, interactive gaming.

Perhaps just as important to the vendor is the implication that it will be part of future video networks.

"As we've taken our edge routing technology out, we've continually enhanced it," said Steve Vogelsang, vice president of marketing for Laurel. "It's targeting a more specific application than we have in the past. The key thing is it's new technology as well as creating a new position in the marketplace."

Laurel is banking on a combination of density and price to sell the new enhancements to the ST200 series, which can be connected directly to Ethernet-based DSLAMs or a FTTP network. The enhanced Ethernet density brings the route to a maximum 80 line rate gigabit Ethernet ports.

"Part of the feedback we got initially from the marketplace was that the platform was a bit too high capacity for their needs," Vogelsang said. "Now it's come around where they're thinking of very sophisticated video services and need the capacity."