Fore aims for alternatives

Fore Systems is reaching out to data-centric alternate service providers with its latest enhancements to the ASX-4000 asynchronoustransfer mode backbone switch. The company is adding optical capabilities and wavelength division multiplexing interfaces directly onto the switch, hoping to attract competitive service providers that have a fixed budget.

Service providers build networks on three layers: transmission equipment, switching equipment and resiliency/recovery, said Steve Vogelsang, director of technology at Fore. Fore's forte traditionally has been in the switching layer, primarily with ATM. The next step is integrating the transmission technology-WDM-directly into the switch.

"We've always had optical interfaces on the switch, but now we will have WDM interfaces incorporated into the switch," Vogelsang said. "We are building OC-48c interfaces that are WDM-ready."

Starting with a four-wavelength solution, the switch can support 40 Gb/s at 10 Gb/s per fiber. The WDM interface eliminates the need for cross-connects, thereby reducing the number of times the signal is transmitted, received and remodulated (see figure).

"By providing this WDM interface, you go from six interfaces to two," said Ben Speiser, principal engineer for product architecture at Fore. That reduction appeals to budget-conscious service providers.

Fore's background in ATM and incorporation of WDM will "position them in a market where they are not recognized," said Lisa Allocca, senior consultant with the Renaissance Group. "Fore hasn't been noisy about its presence in the service provider market.

"This particular product and strategy, which is a viable one given the company's [ATM switching] background, will help it become more noisy," she said. "They are absolutely right on the money [with the] native WDM connector on the switch."