Seranoa launches new edge concentrator

Seranoa Networks today announced a new line of edge concentrators targeted at CLECs trying to reduce the backhaul costs in packet and TDM services.

The IP Exchange (IPeX) family, which consists of two layer-2 switches, increases access bandwidth efficiency two-to-five fold, according to the company. The IpeX 200, designed for a CO or co-lo facility, can multiplexes and aggregates T1 or T3-based packet services onto standard clear-channel T3 (DS3) backhaul circuits, reducing operational expenses by at least 50 percent. Indeed, the company is quoting a return on invest of 5-7 months.

"We’re not a router but we’re terminating those T1s or T3, terminating the layer 2 information, and forwarding it on a very cheap Ethernet port to the core router," said Sally Bament, senior vice president of marketing for Seranoa.

Likewise, the IPeX 400 provides the same functionality but supports TDM DS0 grooming capabilities of a wideband 3/1/0 Digital Cross-Connect System. The goal is to give carriers a way to multiplex IP traffic while grooming and aggregating TDM voice onto shared backhaul links in a real-world environment.

"You don’t need to bookend this with Seranoa products on both ends. We’re not trying to do some kind of circuit emulation service here," Bament said. "The other thing we’ve been told categorically by our service provider customers is, ‘don’t mess with my voice traffic.’"

Though initially focused on competitive carriers, Serano plans to target larger carriers via partnerships, Bament said.