Redback Networks, an Ericsson (News - Alert) subsidiary and a provider of broadband networking systems and solutions to Internet Service Providers (ISP), announced on Monday a new range of smart Ethernet switches for accelerated unification of fixed and mobile networks.

 

Designed to cater to the $4.7+ billion metro Ethernet market, these switches would unify networks and simplify network architecture while lowering carrier costs. The first switch introduced in the series is the SM 480 - a smart Ethernet switch for fixed and mobile carriers.

 

According to Steve Murray, vice president of product management at Redback Networks (News - Alert), “The SM 480 was developed to allow carriers to build a converged, Ethernet/IP Metro network optimized for the transport of fixed and mobile traffic. It was designed to simplify network architectures, lower operational costs, and provide ‘service aware’ transport for fixed and mobile carriers.”

 

The new Ethernet switch inherits a set of features from Redback’s SmartEdge family of routers and is designed for integration with other Redback and Ericsson products.

 

“Ericsson is the leading provider of mobile infrastructure, and customers are eager for a solution that combines Redback’s IP-over-Ethernet innovation with Ericsson’s mobile expertise,” said Murray.

 

Features of the switched Ethernet platform include:

 

According to Stan Hubbard, a senior analyst at communications research firm, Heavy Reading, Ethernet switches and routers are fast becoming the choice of providers globally for packet-based network and service convergence.

 

“With the introduction of the SM 480, Redback appears well positioned to help accelerate global adoption of carrier Ethernet in metro networks to support fast-growing, Ethernet-based business, residential triple-play, and mobile backhaul services,” said Hubbard.