Fujitsu MSSP takes aim at cross-connect market

Fujitsu Network Communications introduced a new configuration for its Flashwave 4500 multiservice provisioning platform that allows carriers to convert it to a multiservice switching platform, thereby assuming the added functionality of a digital cross-connect.

By adding two switch cards with a combined 300-Gb/s of STS-1 grooming capabilities, carriers can turn their MSPPs into MSSPs. They can then add 100-Gb/s interface shelves, one at a time, for a total of 300 Gb/s in a single rack. The system can directly terminate up to 15 OC-192 interoffice rings, 30 OC-48 rings or hundreds of OC-3s or OC-12s, according to Fujitsu. It uses the same interface cards as the MSPP, which can support 252 protected DS-1 drops, 288 protected DS-3 drops or 240 Fast Ethernet ports or 144 DVB-ASI ports.

Competing with cross-connect vendors such as Tellabs and Lucent Technologies, Fujitsu will no doubt try to take advantage of its strong embedded base of Flashwave 4500s and its relationships with customers like Verizon Communications and SBC Communications, promoting the comparitive ease of adding switching cards to an existing box rather than buying a new product from another vendor and training employees on its operation. But the vendor is also touting as a differentiator the MSSP's modular architecture, which allows carriers to add interface shelves 100-Gb/s at a time.

"Build it as you need it, as the traffic dictates," a Fujitsu spokesman said.

The first switching cards will be available in August for lab testing, Fujitsu said.