Hammer head Systems in the first half of 2008 will make available a new solution that will allow existing MPLS-based networks to interwork with PBT while at the same time addressing the deficiencies of PBT, including lack of multicast capability and the absence of a control plane.
The company¡¯s new Carrier Ethernet Multicast Framework, a software addition to its previously-announced HSX 6000 PBB-TE Service Gateway, enables service providers to deploy E-LAN and E-Tree services across their existing MPLS networks and extend them to their metro networks with PBB-TE.
The company also announced collaboration with Soapstone Networks to use its Provider Network Controller (PNC) for control plane provisioning and joint marketing to support service providers automating the provisioning of their point-to-point and multipoint PBB-TE networks.
Explaining why Hammer head is introducing the Carrier Ethernet Multicast Framework now, Rob Keil, the company¡¯s founder and vice president of marketing, said there¡¯s recently been a huge acceleration in RFPs and customers in general asking for solutions that take PBT beyond a point-to-point only plumbing solution to something that can address video applications.