Metrodata Limited

Metrodata is pleased to announce the forthcoming release of a range of solutions for legacy service delivery and extension across Ethernet and/or IP backbone networks (TDM over IP). The PacketLINK family provides single and multi-port connectivity solutions for n x 64Kbps Serial and E1/T1 or E3/DS3 services across Ethernet/IP networks, including either simple point-to-point links or more complex WAN infrastructures.

The PacketLINK range uses pseudowire TDM circuit extension to ensure effective clock recovery & synchronisation across the IP/Ethernet network backbone.

PacketLINK products may be used by Telecoms Service Providers to provision TDM services over Layer 2 or Layer 3 networks, or by Enterprise customers to extend E1 or Serial connections between devices across an Ethernet or IP backbone.

Across the range, in parallel with TDM service delivery, Ethernet 'LAN-side' connections may be broken out from an IP WAN service, with prioritisation to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow to the TDM connection(s), in order to maintain effective end-to-end clock synchronisation.

Telecoms Service Providers might, for example, use this to provision connections for both Data services (via Ethernet) and ISDN-30 services for non-SIP PBX Voice Trunks (via E1), both over a single IP service connection.

Our initial TDM over IP / Ethernet product line-up is summarised below:

• PacketLINK PL1100: Single-port E1 or T1 extension or service delivery over Ethernet/IP
• PacketLINK PL1100S: Single-port n x 64Kbps (up to 4Mbps) Serial extension over Ethernet/IP
• PacketLINK PL1400F: 2 or 4-port n x 64Kbps Serial or E1/T1 (or a combination of Serial and E1/T1) extension over Ethernet/IP
• PacketLINK PL3100: Single-port E3 or DS3 extension or service delivery over Ethernet/IP

For further information, click here or contact us directly via ' This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ' for technical details and product availability.

Metrodata is pleased to announce a new range of Passive CWDM Optical Multiplexers under the 'MetroWAVE' brand. 5-port and 9-port mux/de-mux units are available, both of which have the added benefit of providing support for a 'traditional', non-CWDM wavelength optical input and a monitor port enabling in-service diagnostics.  Our MetroWAVE multiplexers are small, lightweight and unpowered devices, providing high reliability and comprehensive features at an extremely cost-effective price.

The company offers a range of 155Mbps and 1.25Gbps CWDM-wavelength SFP Transceivers for use with the multiplexers and a precision hand-held Optical Powermeter which serves as an excellent installation and diagnostic tool for all CWDM applications.

The full range at launch includes:

MetroWAVE 5: 5 channel CWDM multiplexer with expansion port and monitor port

MetroWAVE 4A: 4-channelCWDM multiplexer with expansion port (add on to MetroWAVE-5 to make MetroWAVE-9)

MetroWAVE 9: 9 channel CWDM multiplexer with monitor port

MetroWAVE Powermeter: 18-channel CWDM Optical Powermeter

MetroWAVE Rack: Mounts 3 off MetroWAVE CWDM multiplexers into 1U of a 19 inch rack

MetroWAVE SFP: Range of 155Mbps and 1.25Gbps CWDM SFP Transceivers, for up to 80km transmission across single-mode fibre (additional and enhanced specification devices available on request)

Used in combination with Metrodata's well established range of Fibre interface converters, the MetroWAVE devices enable uniquely flexible network designs for customers having restricted availability to fibre and needing to achieve 'bandwidth multiplication' or to run multiple different services across single fibre links. Supporting simultaneous transmission of Serial, TDM (incl. SDH/PDH), IP/Ethernet, Fibre-channel (SAN), CCTV and other services, highly resilient point-to-point and ring topologies are possible.

For full details, see Passive CWDM Multiplexers

Metrodata is pleased to announce the availability of the MetroConnect range of solutions for LAN Extension and Ethernet Service Delivery.

Until today, Metrodata has offered a range of products for Ethernet LAN Extension over PDH/SDH WAN links in the form of single E1, E3/DS3 and STM1/OC3 connections. These products offer robust connectivity with minimal configuration for ease of deployment and the range has proved popular with both Enterprise and Service Provider customers.

For the MetroConnect family continues to support both basic LAN Extension, with full backwards compatibility with the existing products, but now offers a much greater range of connectivity options, advanced management and the flexibility of 3rd party compatibility to enable their use in 'Ethernet Service Delivery' applications by Telecoms Service Providers.

Specifically, products are available for Ethernet extension applications via:

• Single T1 or E1 WAN links (both framed and un-framed)
• Multiple T1 or E1 WAN links, through 'bonding' of up to 4 or 8 WAN circuits
• Single E3 or DS3 WAN links (both framed and un-framed)
• Dual 'bonded' E3 or DS3 WAN links
• STM-1 / OC-3 WAN links (offering full 155Mbps bandwidth)
• Serial connections, including X.21, V.35, EIA-530, HSSI and LVDS, often used to interface with Radio or Satellite Modem equipment.

For maximum flexibility of Ethernet connectivity, the range will feature both Copper (RJ45) and SFP fibre (SFP) ports, supporting 10/100 or Gigabit speeds. Ethernet 'Jumbo' Frames will also be supported across the range.

The new family supports both Cisco-compatible HDLC and GFP, enabling these devices to be deployed in 'single-ended' application, i.e. potentially as CPE equipment connected back to a Carrier 'aggregation' platform. In this way, these devices are suitable not just for Corporate point-to-point' Ethernet Extension applications, but also for Ethernet Service Delivery/Demarcation applications for Carrier Networks.

To further support Carrier deployment, the range supports the following features:

• IEEE 802.1q VLANs
• IEEE 802.1p priority queuing for QoS
• IEEE 802.3ah 'link OAM', now a significant requirement for Carrier Ethernet Service Delivery.

Each product in the range is available both as a stand-alone device with AC or -48V DC Power Supply variants or alternatively in module format for use within the high-availability MetroConnect Ethernet Service Delivery Platform.

For full details of both the MetroConnect MC12000 platform and our new Managed LAN Extension / Service Delivery products, refer to the 'Ethernet Service Delivery' under the Product section of this Web Site.

Metrodata is pleased to announce two new additions to its Media Converter family, targeting the 10/100/1000 Ethernet arena. Joining the popular FC-GigE product, used for conversion between 1000BaseLX and 1000BaseSX fibre interfaces, are the FC5000 and FC7X00 product families.

The FC5000 provides up to Gig Ethernet speed and Optical (SFP) to Electrical (RJ45) interface conversion between a single 10/100/1000BaseT copper port and either a 1000BaseSX (multi-mode) or 1000BaseLX (single-mode) fibre port, determined by SFP Transceiver. The FC7000, FC7100 and FC7200 products provide similar conversion between 10/100BaseT copper and 100BaseFX fibre interfaces, supporting multi-mode, single-mode short-haul and single-mode long-haul applications respectively.

In common with other Metrodata products, all of the Ethernet Media Converters are designed for absolute simplicity and maximum effectiveness. The entire family comprise robust metal boxed units with integral power supply, either 100-250 VAC or -48 VDC. Both FC5000 and FC7X00 ranges feature auto-negotiation, and auto MDI/MDI-X cross-over switching on all copper ports, for ease of installation and use.

To ensure reliable operation, both ranges support Link State Forwarding whereby a fault on the fibre will automatically force a ‘link down’ on the copper port to indicate to the attached device that there is a link problem.

The FC5000 is orderable with either 1000BaseSX or 1000BaseLX SFP (small form-factor pluggable) transceiver pre-installed for LC fibre connection, although customers may subsequently change between multi-mode or single-mode fibre interfaces by purchasing an alternative transceiver from Metrodata. The FC7X00 family offers fixed transceivers for multi-mode (up to 5km), single-mode short-haul (up to 30km) or single-mode long-haul (up to 70km) applications, using duplex SC presentation, although customers are invited to contact Metrodata for alternative interface options.

For full details, visit our Ethernet Media Converters product section.