November 9, 2009, ORLANDO, FL (TelcoTV)—Calix, the largest communications
equipment supplier focused solely on access solutions for broadband service
delivery, today unveiled a revolutionary new approach to access networks: the E7 Ethernet Service
Access Platform (ESAP), a modular, chassis-based pure Ethernet platform
architected for carrier class performance, deployment flexibility and
management simplicity. Marrying an advanced 100 gigabits per second (Gbps)
backplane with a one rack unit (RU), two slot chassis, the E7 can
deploy any mix of GPON, point-to-point gigabit Ethernet (GE) or Active Ethernet
(AE), and 10GE transport for business and residential services, allowing
communications service providers (CSPs) to combine multiple E7 platforms as a
single, manageable network element.
The E7 is a highly extensible standards-based, Ethernet
platform that offers CSPs the flexibility needed to address the bandwidth and
operational challenges of an increasingly all-video world, while maintaining an
architectural simplicity that eases provisioning and operations. A powerful new
option in the Calix Unified Access portfolio, the E7 ESAP complements the C7, North America's
most widely deployed multiservice access platform (MSAP). Together, these
solutions provide an array of deployment options for CSPs looking to transform
their networks from legacy to advanced services efficiently and
cost-effectively.
With Internet traffic growing 60 percent annually, video is
becoming the predominant consumer application. CSPs are struggling to keep pace
with the exponential need for access network bandwidth. Simultaneously, they
face an increasingly competitive environment that renders services uptake
extremely unpredictable. The modularity of the E7 is well-suited to address
these challenges head-on, allowing CSPs to meet emerging service demands with
bandwidth-rich GPON, residential AE, and point-to-point GE business services,
while deploying a customized mix of E7 chassis that are optimized to their
deployment needs. As subscriber penetration increases, E7 chassis can be added
incrementally, with each additional platform providing supplementary GPON, AE,
and 10GE ports, yet managed as a single network element with one IP address as
well as a single configuration database. This gives CSPs flexibility to easily
add new service cards as demand dictates, with the extra capacity to meet
network bandwidth challenges cost effectively while maintaining operational
efficiency across the extensible modular chassis.
"As one of the first large scale switched digital video
deployments in the country, we know what it takes to deliver and keep pace with
the accelerating demands of advanced video services," said Joe Corbin, vice
president of operations, Horizon Telecom (Chillicothe, Ohio). "The E7 allows us
to immediately address emerging access needs and to simplify and reduce our
cost of operations. Where existing fiber is available, we can install an E7 and
install advanced video and broadband services to multiple customers, all on the
same day. Calix has become a partner which Horizon can rely on to deliver
solutions to keep us ahead of our competition."
"The last big revolution in the access network occurred when
voice started giving way to data, a situation that called for altogether new
approaches to network architectures to meet bandwidth demands," said Matt
Davis, director of multiplay services at IDC. "Today, we are seeing another
explosive growth in bandwidth demand driven by new broadband video services.
The difference, however, is that competition is much more fierce and the rate
of change is much faster this time around, challenging the predictability of
service penetration. A modular, flexible, and high-capacity platform like the
E7 is ideally suited for this transition, as it allows service providers to
meet their service demand challenges with the optimal capital and operational
efficiency."
New Ethernet eXtensible
Architecture Ensures Maximum Platform Flexibility
The Calix E7 is designed for easy service deployment and
rapid service expansion by a combination of innovative hardware and software
architectures. In addition to its modularity and wide fiber access services
support, the E7 platform leverages a standards-based Ethernet kernel built for
access, called Ethernet eXtensible Architecture (EXA). The EXA Powered E7
delivers operational simplicity and network awareness, allowing the E7 to be
easily provisioned, dramatically facilitating faster installation and turn-up.
Whether deployed in the central office, remote terminal or node, in the
basement of a building or cellular tower hut, as a retrofit, or in a network
with other Calix C7s and E5
platforms, the combination of the EXA Powered E7 and Calix Management System (CMS) allows
cross-network and cross-platform service provisioning and a single management
view of the whole network. This results in network-wide element awareness for
all services for maximal operational efficiency, flexibility, and
responsiveness.
The E7 delivers native Ethernet service across a variety of
applications from an extensible two-slot, one RU chassis:
- GPON-4 Line Card (Business and residential services):
Enables fiber access flexibility with four GPON ports, eight gigabit
Ethernet ports, and standards-based 10GE transport on the same line card.
- 10GE-4 Line Card (Transport
and aggregation services): Advanced carrier-grade, standards-based
10GE transport and MEF 9/14 certified business services aggregation on the
same line card.
- GE-12 Line Card (Residential Active Ethernet services): Delivers
residential AE service drops in 12-port increments, with integrated,
standards-based 10GE transport on the same line card.
Unified Access Portfolio Expands
Communications Service Provider Options
The new E7 ESAP brings new flexibility to the Calix Unified
Access portfolio. Complementing the C7 MSAP, the E7 ESAP is focused exclusively
on Ethernet in a modular form factor. Service providers taking an evolutionary
approach to access network transformation, where they transition systematically
from legacy services to advanced Ethernet services, will look to the C7 as the
optimal platform for this migration. Service providers that need to take a
revolutionary approach and leap directly into fiber-fed Ethernet services can
opt for the simplicity of the E7. In many networks, both products will likely
be deployed together, with the optimal form factor, density, and services mix
leveraged on a case-by-case basis. With both platforms managed seamlessly by
CMS and both capable of supporting the full range of P-Series ONTs, service
providers must merely choose the "right" solution optimized to their specific
deployment scenario and pace of transformation.
"The Calix Unified Access Infrastructure reflects a core
development philosophy – Build systems with long useful lives that provide a
clear migration path to a single, unified access network," said Kevin Pope,
senior vice president of product development at Calix. "Communications service
providers that deployed other solutions over the last seven years have in many
cases been forced into wholesale change-out and upgrades of this equipment, yet
those who deployed Calix C7 platforms are still adding new cards and turning-up
new advanced services after seven years of value. The EXA Powered E7 has been
architected to these same principles, but with a narrower focus on exclusively
Ethernet services over fiber and the extensibility requirements of an all-video
world."
About Calix
Calix is a leading provider of communications access systems
and related software that enable communications service providers to connect to
their residential and business subscribers. Calix enables communications
service providers to provide a wide range of revenue-generating services, from
basic voice and data to advanced broadband services, over legacy and
next-generation access networks. Calix access innovation helps these companies
to transform their networks from circuit to packet, narrowband to broadband,
and copper to fiber. Calix has deployed millions of ports and tens of thousands
of systems into hundreds of service provider networks throughout North America. For more information, visit the Calix website at www.calix.com.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements
that are based upon management's current expectations and are inherently
uncertain. Forward-looking statements are based upon information available to
us as of the date of this release and we assume no obligation to revise or
update any such forward-looking statement to reflect any event or circumstance
after the date of this release. Actual results and the timing of events could
differ materially from current expectations.
For additional information contact:
Jeannette Bitz
Engage PR
510-748-8200 x207
jbitz@engagepr.com
