Narad Networks and Strix Systems create carrier class wireless solutions for cable networks

(Business News & Technology News, 20 Mar 2007)

Narad Networks Inc., the market-leading provider of FTTx solutions for bandwidth enhancement of HFC cable systems, and Strix Systems, technology and market leader in wireless mesh networking, has announced successful interoperability testing of their complementary Carrier Ethernet solutions. The combined solution provides network operators with a new, high capacity, carrier class option for plant extension and wireless mesh (Wi-Fi) backhaul for metro areas.

Testing of Narad's switched Ethernet-over-coax solution combined with Strix Outdoor Wireless System (OWS-2400) revealed exceptional performance exceeding an aggregate rate of 35Mb per second from end-to-end. This level of performance, previously not possible, gives operators the ability to offer high-speed Metro Ethernet Forum E-Line and E-LAN services over wireless mesh with coaxial cable used as backhaul. This solution also makes it possible to deliver new and enhanced mobile voice and video services to business and residential customers. In each case, the new services can be implemented without the need for costly new fiber construction.

On March 29, 2007, Narad Networks and Strix Systems are jointly hosting a session, Utilizing Existing Network Resources to Power Video Surveillance, at the International Security Conference (ISC) West Show in Las Vegas. Peter Reed, Director of Business Development, Strix Systems, and Michael Collette CEO, Narad Networks, will outline effective new methods of implementing video surveillance by leveraging existing cable installed around a customer site and show how to extend IP networks with wireless links to stream live, digitally encoded video from security cameras connected via coax or wireless Ethernet ports.

"The Strix Systems solution not only solves the problem of extending services without costly network construction, but provides quality of service and virtual LAN capabilities to deliver a multitude of services, with carrier class reliability options," said Michael Collette, CEO, Narad Networks. "The combined solution will enable traditional cable operators to leverage existing HFC plant to deploy lucrative and highly competitive wireless solutions for commercial and residential end users. In the security market, integrators and resellers can greatly reduce Ethernet network construction costs by using the existing private cable infrastructure in campuses, hospitals, hotel and resort operators, municipalities operating housing projects, and military installations."

"Narad's ability to offer high capacity, symmetric Carrier Ethernet services over HFC plant adds flexibility to network design and lowers the cost of backhaul", said Nan Chen, VP Product Management and Marketing, Strix Systems. "The Narad solution turns existing coax cable systems and various facilities into an IP backbone. Strix Wireless Mesh Nodes can attach to IP- coax located at practically any customer site to enable greater deployment flexibility, increased reach and cost savings. The combination of the two maximizes savings for cable operators and security systems integrators."

Narad's new FTTxSWITCH(TM) product, part of its FTTx platform, supports Gigabit Ethernet over each of six fiber ports and 100Mbps Ethernet over each of four coaxial cable ports. The FTTxSWITCH can be deployed in Fiber To The Node (FTTN), Fiber To The Curb (FTTC) and Fiber To The Premise (FTTP) configurations. The FTTxSWITCH will also support wireless access points and standard Ethernet cabling. The Narad switched Ethernet solution for the access network greatly amplifies the broadband capacity of HFC cable systems. Switched Ethernet over fiber can deliver up to 1Gbps x 1Gbps per end user. Switched Ethernet over coaxial cable can deliver up to 100Mbps x 100Mbps per end user.

The Strix Access/One OWS and IWS modular mesh products deliver the largest capacity (up to six radios and 768 users per node, three to six times the norm), highest throughput (five times the norm at 35Mbps), and best scalability (users can add more radio boards or new technologies). An independent wireless mesh test, sponsored by Light Reading and completed in June 2006, found Strix's OWS 2400-30 delivers the best throughput and capacity and the greatest scalability for voice applications and mobility/roaming. Strix networks scale to 10 or more wireless hops with near-zero throughput loss and latency, enabling customers to deliver real-time applications with a minimum of wired connections for a given area, which reduces CapEx and OpEx.

Narad Networks
Strix Systems