Vitesse Semiconductor Corporation successfully participated in this year's Carrier Ethernet interoperability tests of the Ethernet Advanced Networking Test Center (EANTC). In the tests, which began August 23, Vitesse demonstrated realistic and accurate performance metrics during extensive multi-vendor testing scenarios using its popular Caracal Carrier Ethernet switch engine family. Specifically, Vitesse examined Ethernet behavior in MPLS-TP, IP/MPLS, and Ethernet aggregation environments.

In addition to the mixed-protocol environment, this EANTC event tested advanced capabilities of Carrier Ethernet, including Ethernet Ring Protection Switching using G.8032; Ethernet Linear Protection Switching based on G.8031; Link Operations Administration and Maintenance (OAM) using IEEE 802.3ah; and Synchronous Ethernet Frequency Synchronization (based on both G.8264 and G.781).

"We are delighted that Vitesse's Caracal family of Carrier Ethernet switch engines participated in EANTC's interoperability event. In an ever-complex technology market, multi-vendor interoperability is critical to service providers," said Carsten Rossenhoevel, managing director, EANTC. "As the sole semiconductor company represented in this year's test event, Vitesse has provided system developers an objective means of evaluating their Carrier Ethernet technology and validated the system-level interoperability and performance in multi-vendor environments achievable with their Caracal devices."

"This year's EANTC showcase focused on many of the areas Vitesse sees as critical for the deployment of Carrier Ethernet. This is why our Carrier Ethernet switch engine families have emphasized such aspects as Synchronous Ethernet and fast failover switching," said Jack O'Neill, product marketing manager at Vitesse. "Synchronization, in particular, is seen as critical for LTE backhaul, and has been a feature differentiator for Vitesse. The results of our EANTC interoperability tests confirm that Vitesse's Caracal solutions are well suited for applications demanding exceptional support for OAM, Ethernet Ring Protection Switching, 1588v2, and Synchronous Ethernet."

While this year's test included more than 20 equipment suppliers, Vitesse was the sole semiconductor supplier participating in the event. Vitesse views its participation as critical, in demonstrating the unprecedented levels of support for OAM, Ethernet Ring Protection Switching, and Synchronous Ethernet in its Caracal-1 (VSC7428) and Caracal-2 (VSC7429) Carrier Ethernet switches.

The 2010 tests were unique in dedicating the first week to hot staging and the achievement of real-world results. During the second week, vendors were asked to "freeze" their implementations and optimize the performance for a demonstration network, to be shown at venues such as the Carrier Ethernet World Congress in Warsaw.

Vendors were tasked with more than a comparison of encapsulation or transport protocols. For example, Managed Ethernet Services were tested and compared across different transport environments, such as MPLS-TP and IP/MPLS, and included tests of Y.1731 Performance Monitoring. Ring Protection Switching and Linear Protection Switching were tested, not just for ideal failover times, but for special cases such as forced and manual switchover.