Paris, France-based Alcatel Data Networks has unveiled Avanza (Go ahead in Italian), a multi-service architecture said to create a seamless switching environment from desktop to desktop throughout the local, wide and public network. The architecture is implemented on the new Alcatel 1100 HSS system, said to integrate both local and wide area services, and support Asynchronous Transfer Mode, Frame Relay, and Time Division Multiplexing switching, each with separate architectures. Avanza is also said to offer local area network switching as a result of Alcatel’s technology deal with Xylan Corp (CI No 2,625). The system is scalable up to 512 ports for Frame Relay and 120 ports for Asynchronous Mode at speeds up to 622Mbps. There are two variants of the system. The Series 700 is aimed at private and public backbone networks and delivers a multi-service switching system with Asynchronous Mode, Frame Relay, FRAD, Time Division Multiplexing, SNA, local area network, speech, X.25 and Integrated Services Digital Network, with 12 scalable slots, says Alcatel. It has a 10Gbps Asynchronous Mode switching matrix and a non-blocking Frame Relay and Time Division Multiplexing switching architecture, and features a 16 by 16 by 622Mbps shared memory matrix switch with Virtual Path and Virtual Switching, as well as point-to-multipoint and point-to-point capabilities. According to Alcatel, it also delivers CBR, VBR and UBR services, and supports standards-based Frame-to-Asynchronous Transfer Mode internetworking via general data adaption to Asynchronous Mode through AAL5 and AAL 3/4. The Series 400 is aimed at campus and branch office applications and has four slots and up to 24 ports running at speeds up to T1/E1. It can be deployed as a fully featured Frame Relay or Time Division Multiplexing switch, or as an access device, says Alcatel, and shares common software, hardware and management capabilities with the 700 to enable a smooth migration to Asynchronous Transfer Mode. For Frame Relay, it offers local and network switching, Permanent and Switched Virtual Circuit signalling and dynamic rerouting around failed trunks. All 1100 HSS major components are hot-swappable, says Alcatel, with redundancy built-in to the switching elements, management, interface boards and access boards. The offerings are out now at prices from $20,000 up to $350,000.
