3Com Corporation has expanded its CommWorks architecture, the company`s versatile solution for multiservice packet-based networking, to include the full breadth of its Carrier Systems` product offerings. As part of its expansion of the CommWorks architecture, 3Com has also announced development plans for its next-generation multiservice access platform for service providers - the Total Control 2000 Platform.
The CommWorks architecture allows service providers to deliver remote access, IP telephony, wireless data, and cable access over a single converged network, explains 3Com SA`s carrier account manager, Sue Dagge. "Standards-based and designed with open interfaces throughout, 3Com`s CommWorks solution meets the telecommunications industry`s need for a coherent architecture that allows the deployment of multiple services in a single, unified networking environment," she says. "The CommWorks architecture streamlines the migration from today`s analog networks to next-generation, packet-based converged networks."
3Com will now use its CommWorks and Total Control brand names for all existing and future products launched for the service provider market. The CommWorks architecture is at the heart of 3Com`s strategy for delivering e-Networks to service providers. These next-generation packet-based networks give service providers the ability to offer differentiated enhanced services, create new revenue-generating business opportunities, and claim unique positions in the marketplace.
With the expansion of the CommWorks architecture to all product families in 3Com`s Carrier portfolio, we are introducing a comprehensive multi-phased rollout plan for infrastructure evolution in an IP-based environment," adds Dagge. "The CommWorks architecture is a master plan for accommodating current and future media types in a unified networking environment."
Total Control 2000 Platform: 3Com`s Next-generation Solution for Multiservice Access
The new Total Control 2000 platform will augment 3Com`s existing Total Control multiservice access platform, an award-winning solution that is a market leader. Today`s Total Control platform, now rebranded as the Total Control 1000 Multiservice Access Platform, leads the market in number of remote access, wireless and telephony services around the world.
"As service providers extend their coverage, they have discovered that to build an optimised network, platforms need to be optimised within the network to account for varying population densities," says Dagge. "Within the 3Com CommWorks architecture, our platforms will provide for efficient scalability within the network."
She adds that the Total Control 1000 platform is proven in areas of the network where tens of thousands of subscribers are served, while the Total Control 2000 platform will be capable of serving hundreds of thousands of subscribers.
The platforms will share common digital signal processor (DSP), routing and network management technologies. Like the Total Control 1000 platform, the new Total Control 2000 platform will include fully redundant system components and a common equipment architecture that will significantly simplify capacity expansion.
The Total Control 2000 platform is designed from the ground up for full Network Equipment Building System (NEBS) Level 3 compliance.
3Com will leverage its long-standing relationship with Texas Instruments to deploy the latest DSP technology featuring the highest density and performance and the lowest power requirements throughout the entire family of Total Control multiservice access platforms. The Total Control 2000 platform also will feature a highly distributed routing topology that assures optimum performance as the system scales to meet demand and as new capabilities are.
Dagge says that specific product announcements related to the Total Control 2000 platform will be forthcoming, with trials expected to begin later this year.
The CommWorks Architecture
Two years ago 3Com outlined its vision for a flexible three-tier architecture to address the increasing multiservice needs of today`s telecommunications market. The CommWorks architecture was introduced initially as a carrier-class IP telephony solution. Since then, 3Com has become one of the top three providers of carrier-class IP telephony equipment. (Source: Cahners In-Stat Group, September 1999) Today`s expansion of the CommWorks architecture to include remote access, wireless data and cable access networks gives service providers a versatile and scalable way to offer multiple services over a single network infrastructure.
"The CommWorks solution brings to the telecommunications market a cohesive, methodical migration plan for the technological shift from the circuit-based PSTN to feature-rich and efficient packet-based IP networks," says Dagge. "Our CommWorks architecture provides a full line of products and services to support complete IP-based infrastructures. This branding strategy clearly identifies the components of the architecture and helps to present our vision of future products."
With its robust three-tier architecture, the CommWorks solution enables service providers to evolve their existing infrastructure for remote access, IP telephony, wireless data, and cable access into an integrated IP-based multiservice network. The first two tiers of the architecture address universal connectivity requirements, including signaling protocol mediation. The third tier enables flexibility in service customisation by offering interfaces for application and service development.
Tier 1 - Media Processing
The media processing layer employs media gateway functions to integrate multiple types of traffic and accommodate disparate access networks. This tier features 3Com`s proven Total Control multiservice access platform.
Tier 2 - Signaling and Call Control
The call control layer bridges different signaling and call control protocols enabling multimedia traffic to seamlessly traverse disparate networks, like the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and IP network.
Tier 3 - Service Creation
The service creation layer provides an open service creation environment that leverages open interfaces and 3Com strategic partners to enable rapid application and service deployment.
With over 300 million customer connections worldwide, 3Com Corporation connects more people and organisations to information and each other in more innovative, simple and reliable ways than any other networking company. 3Com delivers e-Networking solutions through information access products and network systems to enterprises, small businesses, consumers, carriers and network service providers. 3Com More connected; For further information, visit 3Com`s World Wide Web site at www.3com.com or the press site at .3com.com/pressbox.
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