Pannaway adds GPON, 10 Gig Ethernet to access platform

Pannaway Networks today said it is adding GPON access modules and a new 10 gigabit Ethernet transport fabric to its MAGNM-20 access platform.

The MAGNM-20 is part of Pannaway’s Service Convergence Network architecture. The upgrades allow carriers to deliver high-density 2.5 GPON alongside active Ethernet and copper out of the same access box, said Pannaway CTO Mike Skubisz. To help support the higher access speeds the device also now supports a new, higher-performance 10GbE transport fabric, he said.

“By putting active Ethernet and GPON on the same platform, you have a situation, such as in a residential area, where you have areas close to the central office where you can feed that with PON,” Skubisz said. “At the same time, you may also have some properties really far out there where active becomes a lot more attractive.”

Changes in bandwidth consumption also are reflected in the box’s four 2.5 Gb-rated PONs and new 10 Gb backplane, he said. “If you look at traffic today, it’s no longer spiky,” he said. “You’re getting a lot of steady-state video. You better have at least 10 gigs in the fabric because someone might just use all that bandwidth.”

On the access side, the MAGNM-20 provides four 2.5/1.2 OLT ports resulting in a capacity to service that exceeds 2300 end points per chassis. The device can be upgraded to the new GPON modules without network disruption and is managed using Pannaway’s Broadband Access Manager platform.

The new transport fabric and GPON blades will enter customer beta trials in the second quarter, Pannaway said.