The excellent investment protection provided by the Passport MultiService switches from Nortel Networks was recently demonstrated by the upgrade of the Mauritius Telecom data network. This project serves as a fine example of how new technology can be deployed to extend services and still preserve the value of existing equipment.
The network was initially installed in 1999 to provide backbone and access services to corporate and home Internet users on the island and was initially targeted to provide X.25 and Frame Relay switched services across an ATM backbone network provided by the Passport 7000 series of multi-service switches.
"As is the case for all networks worldwide, the requirements from users on the island have changed over the years," says Johann de Beer, Systems Engineer at Nortel Networks South Africa.
"Mauritius Telecom has extended its delivery of Internet services accordingly. With the introduction of digital subscriber line (DSL) services on the island, ATM aggregation services for the DSL subscribers and high-speed connectivity had been added to the network, as well as virtual private network (VPN) services for the Internet service provider (ISP) department of the Mauritius Telecom. At the same time, higher port densities to expand access services to the users of Mauritius Telecom had become a necessity.
"Primarily to accommodate the high-density MultiService Access (MSA) functional processors on the existing Passport network, a decision was made to upgrade the software on the Passport switches," says De Beer. "With the introduction of the MSA cards, up to 32 channelised E1 ports can be accommodated on one card in conjunction with OC-3/STM-1 ports. The card is capable of providing Frame Relay, ATM, PPP, ISDN and VPN services across all these ports in a flexible mix that can be configured as required."
Within a two-week period, all the Passport switches and the legacy X.25 switches from Nortel Networks, as well as the management and accounting services relating to the network were upgraded with minimal interruption to the extensive user-base on the island. Although new cards were introduced into the network, the existing cards that provide a variety of services continued to function with the new software release.
At the same time, the existing cards were enabled to provide the newer services such as network-based IP-VPN services, differentiated classes of service, DSL aggregation services and routing services required by the Internet service provider. The network was also readied to carry both traditional voice and voice over IP, as well as to provide backhaul links for the mobile cellular network subsidiary of Mauritius Telecom, Cellplus.
"This truly shows the value that Passport brings to a carrier network," says De Beer. "With a software upgrade alone, the network was transformed from a traditional frame-based network to a network that can provide all the services that a modern next-generation network requires."
Mauritius Telecom is currently exploring the provision of new wireless-based services on the island as well as IP-VPN services to its corporate clients. This can be done with the knowledge that the Passport network is ready to act as the carrier network for these services.
"This is an excellent example of innovation and an investment that grows with the demands generated by the introduction of new services," says De Beer. "The solution truly delivers on Nortel Networks` vision of 'One Network - a world of choice`."
Share
Nortel Networks is an industry leader and innovator focused on transforming how the world communicates and exchanges information. The company is supplying its service provider and enterprise customers with communications technology and infrastructure to enable value-added IP data, voice and multimedia services spanning wireless networks, wireline networks, enterprise networks and optical networks. As a global company, Nortel Networks does business in more than 150 countries. More information about Nortel Networks can be found on the Web at www.nortelnetworks.com.
Editorial contacts