Utility Communications

Mark, RAD Engineer, Utility Communications: With the right solutions, you can support TDM and slow data alongside IP-based services such as eSCADA. RAD’s hybrid multiservice access nodes have a card for any kind of service/interface, from Fast Ethernet/GbE to serial, sub-64Kbps or analog voice, so when you upgrade site equipment you continue to use the same access equipment, no need to even swap out cards. You can get the long-term investment cycle utilities typically expect.

Amit: I’d prefer run my communications over Ethernet/IP to minimize costs, but I need to make sure that all my applications survive the change. I’m especially concerned about the Teleprotection guys.

Mark: Sure, you can run SDH/SONET and Ethernet, IP or MPLS infrastructure simultaneously. We understand some services, like Teleprotection, will take longer to migrate to Ethernet/IP. All you need is a hybrid multiservice multiplexer that supports both SONET/SDH and Ethernet/IP uplinks, like RAD’s does. RAD’s multiplexer also incorporates pseudowire technology, so that you can run legacy services seamlessly and reliably over Ethernet/IP and benefit from immediate cost savings.

Amit: And when I do manage to migrate everything to Ethernet/IP, both on the service and the network side, is that when I need to upgrade to all-IP equipment?

Mark: No, that’s the beauty of RAD’s solution. You control the pace of your migration and when you’re done you have full-featured Carrier-grade Ethernet devices carrying your data with predictable performance and mission-critical accuracy. You also get all the latest standards-based capabilities that the communications industry uses and expects: rigorous traffic management with multi-level prioritization, timing synchronization over packet, fault management, testing and performance monitoring tools so that you achieve SONET/SDH performance over the economical Ethernet/IP backbone.