Cisco ups the ante on core and edge routing

Cisco Systems introduced several hardware and software enhancements to its routing portfolio today aimed at accelerating the service provider evolution to converged networks with an eye on investment protection.

Cisco’s three new 12000 series routers double the capacity of previous models at the core, while the company’s 7600 series enables new edge services such as virtual private LAN service (VPLS) and Layer 2 and Layer 3 multiprotocol label switching VPNs.

The Cisco 12800 40Gbps slotted system router uses OC-192/STM-64 and OC-48/STM-16 line cards in the existing 12000 series chassis to help double the switching capacity of a service provider’s IP/MPLS network. The 12010 and the 12006 are designed to deliver edge services using the Cisco IP Service Engine line card. Both are 2.5Gbps systems and can be upgraded to 10Gbps through software.

The 7600 Series routers use a new route processor called the Supervisor Engine 720-3BXL to power high-density private line, Metro Ethernet and subscriber service aggregation for IP/MPLS services that are quality-of-service enabled. It also features new hardware acceleration for IPv6.

"The hardware enhancements are the underpinning for the delivery of all the software enhancements," said Brendan Gibbs, senior manager of product management for Cisco’s 7600 series.

The 7600 has a new enhanced FlexWAN module that along with line cards that work with both the 7600 and the previous 7500 series, Cisco is providing a migration path between the two edge platforms.

"It is complete investment protection because customers can use port adapters from the 7500 in the new router," Gibbs said.

Gibbs also said SBC is using the 7600 as an aggregation platform for Ethernet services. "The 7600 fulfills the MPLS/Edge functionality in SBC’s local and long-distance Ethernet role out," he said.

Cisco’s overall aim with these enhancements is to scale core capacity and accelerate service delivery capabilities at the edge of the network.

"The current model for most service providers is a service specific network where services such as Frame Relay and ATM may share transport infrastructure, but are run as their own specific network," said Kelly Ahuja, vice president of marketing for Cisco’s carrier core and multiservice business unit. "With these enhancements, we are enabling them to tie all the networks that exist today into a converged network with a single core, but with different services at the edge."