The RICi-16 network demarcation device delivers Fast Ethernet services over framed or unframed E1 or T1 circuits or bonded T3 links. In addition, it carries transparent TDM T1s and Ethernet traffic over a channelized T3 connection. Part of RAD’s EtherAccess® portfolio,the RICi-16 works opposite the Egate aggregation gateways, enabling service providers to utilize legacy TDM infrastructure in extending transparent inter-office LAN connections, as well as in provisioning E-Line and E-LAN services to remote locations. Additional applications include backhauling IP DSLAM, cellular IP and WiMAX base station traffic over copper-based or microwave connections.
NG-PDH encapsulation and bonding
RAD’s RICi-16 Ethernet over bonded PDH NTU supports standard, next-generation Ethernet over TDM encapsulation. It features uplink redundancy for high service resiliency using generic framing procedure (GFP), virtual concatenation (VCAT) and link capacity adjustment scheme (LCAS) standard protocols. These protocols allow service providers to dynamically allocate bandwidth to their customers by simply changing the number of links bonded to the virtual group, without the need to change the NTU device or stop the service. In addition to supporting easy interoperability with third-party equipment, these protocols eliminate SDH/SONET bandwidth restrictions and provide bandwidth-on-demand flexibility for delay-sensitive applications.
The RICi-16 also features up to 16 GFP VCAT groups (VCG). When serving as a POP aggregator, it supports up to 16 different customers by connecting to up to 16 remote RICi-E1/T1 devices.
Enhanced service delivery capabilities
The RICi-16 is equipped with advanced capabilities for handling multi-priority traffic, ensuring latency, jitter and packet delivery performance on a per-flow basis. The device supports traffic classification according to any user-defined criteria, including VLAN ID, VLAN priority (Pbit), DSCP/ ToS, subscriber port, and others, as well as their combinations. In addition, metering and policing functionalities help carriers rate-limit user traffic according to pre-defined CIR (committed information rate) and EIR (excess information rate) profiles, thereby supporting customized service packages and enabling carriers to introduce new revenue generators.
VLAN stacking
By supporting VLAN stacking (“Q-in-Q”), the RICi-16 enables service providers to ensure transparent delivery of user traffic, while minimizing the number of required VLAN IDs in the network.
In cases of error conditions on the GFP port, a fault propagation feature disconnects the Fast Ethernet port, indicating the faulty conditions to the Ethernet network, and allowing routers and switches on both ends of the link to reroute traffic.
SNMP management
The RICi-16 features flexible management capabilities, including local management via an ASCII terminal (RS-232). In addition, remote management can be performed either inband or out-of-band, using the network or user ports, while maintaining separation between management and user traffic via the use of VLANs. Advanced FCAPS (Fault, Configuration, Accounting, Performance, Security) and diagnostic tools are provided by RADview-EMS, RAD’s carrier-class element management system, via an SNMP-based GUI.
The RICi-16 also supports a variety of configuration access channels, including CLI over Telnet, SNMP, Web server, and TFTP. Incorporated security features include Secure Shell (SSH), Web-based Secure Socket Layer (SSL), SNMPv3, and RADIUS, as well as management access control list (ACL).
The RICi-16 supports diagnostic tools, such as remote and local loopbacks mechanisms, to isolate problems on the TDM physical layer.
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