SonetLynx - General Description Sect-01

Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 12

Table of Contents

Introduction
Chapter
This chapter provides an overview of
Intelect Network Technologies and the
Intelect family of quality products.

Page 1-1
CHAPTER 1

COMPANY OVERVIEW
Intelect Network Technologies (INT) is the multimedia switching and transport division
of Intelect Communications Inc., an international communications technology company
that develops, manufactures and markets multimedia products and services for
telecommunications and networking applications. Intelect has been in operation for more
than 30 years and currently employs more than 200 people at its Richardson, Texas,
location.

Intelect Communications Inc. employs an additional 150 employees in its other principal
business units, DNA Enterprises, Inc. and Intelect Visual Communications Corp. (IVC).
Intelect is publicly held and listed on NASDAQ under the symbol ICOM.

Worldwide Customer Base


Intelect has a history of providing quality products and services to companies around the
world. Some of Intelect’s satisfied customers include:

• Federal Aviation Administration

• Alcatel

• Metropolitan Fiber Systems (MFS)

• Hughes

• LORAL

• AMERIX Electronics

• Iceland Civil Aviation Administration

Intelect’s dedication to quality products and comprehensive customer support have been
the cornerstone of its 30-year history in the telecommunications industry.

Intelect Network Technologies (INT)


INT’s rich heritage is built upon markets that require fail-safe communications in
mission-critical environments, such as the air traffic control industry. INT is known for
its mission-critical systems with installations around the world supporting applications
such as AMTRAK rail transportation command and control, USAF missile launch sites,

Page 1-2
INTRODUCTION

the Colombian government’s drug interdiction program and the bulk of the North
Atlantic’s Air Traffic Control through the Iceland CAA.

Company Product Lines and Traditional Markets


INT designs and manufactures three main product lines to suit a variety of niche markets.

SONETLYNX is an intelligent transport


platform for enterprise fiber optic networks.
More than a multiplexer, SONETLYNX
integrates voice, data, LAN and video traffic
into a single SONET OC-1 or OC-3
network.

The Special Services Switching System or


S4 is the digital solution for INT’s traditional
core business, air traffic control and air
defense applications. It provides highly
reliable voice, data and video command
switching in mission-critical applications.
TM

The CS4 is the commercial application of the


S4 digital switch. It provides intelligent,
programmable switching for public and
private communications networks. The CS4
operates on the same basic architecture as
the S4, bringing ultra-high reliability to the
commercial marketplace.

Total Communications Solutions


The diversity of INT and its sister companies make it well situated to deliver a wide
variety of quality multimedia solutions. For example, the desktop videoconferencing
products offered by Intelect Visual Communications operate exceptionally well on a
SONETLYNX network equipped with Ethernet modules. The S4 and the CS4 can also be
combined with the SONETLYNX system to create a complete communications solution
(see Figure 1-1).

Page 1-3
CHAPTER 1

Figure 1-1 The Intelect Total Communications Solution

COMMITMENT TO QUALITY
The goal of INT is to provide quality products and innovative communication solutions
at an affordable price. INT is dedicated to quality in all aspects of its operation,
including manufacturing and customer service.

To demonstrate commitment to a total quality operation, INT is pursuing ISO 9000


certification. INT will be fully ISO 9000 certified by the second quarter of 1998.

Page 1-4
INTRODUCTION

CUSTOMER SUPPORT
INT’s continuous pursuit of excellence includes unparalleled customer support. In
addition to offering telephone support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, INT’s Field
Service and Support engineers provide on-site repairs and turn-key consulting and
installation services. Systems ship with a modem that enables INT to perform remote
diagnostics, troubleshooting and firmware upgrades. Complete, searchable
documentation files, documentation updates and technical bulletins are available to
customers online at www.intelectinc.com. Hands-on installation training courses are
available at INT on a regular schedule, and training can also be contracted to be
performed on site.

SONETLYNX OVERVIEW
SONETLYNX was designed from the ground up to increase the efficiency of enterprise
networks. It seamlessly integrates voice, data, LAN and video traffic through a single
SONET OC-1 or OC-3 multiplexer, eliminating the need for multiple networks with their
own dedicated equipment and management systems. Best of all, the SONETLYNX
backbone is invisible to end users: network equipment functions as though it were plugged
directly into the equipment on the other end of the connection, even though that equipment
might be hundreds of miles away. The SONETLYNX system also incorporates features such
as DS0 grooming, video encoding and video switching that traditionally require external
channel banks, digital cross-connects, codecs and matrix switches. By reducing the need
for external equipment, SONETLYNX reduces the cost and complexity of the network as a
whole, providing high-end performance without the high-end price. (See Figure 1-2 and
Figure 1-3.)

Page 1-5
CHAPTER 1

Figure 1-2 Traditional Network Integration


In addition to the extra equipment between the
multiplexer and the end equipment, this solution
typically requires multiple management systems.

Page 1-6
INTRODUCTION

Figure 1-3 The SONETLYNX Solution


With its on-board features, SONETLYNX reduces
the need for external equipment and requires only
one network management system.

Page 1-7
CHAPTER 1

Modularity
Another way that SONETLYNX achieves high quality and low cost is through modularity.
This provides the solid foundation on which a dynamic SONETLYNX network solution is
built. Users can initially implement a simple network—voice and data only, for example.
The network can then easily be expanded to include additional protocols such as video
and Ethernet. SONETLYNX has the capacity for evolution to include voice, data, LAN
and video traffic in one system. Adding or changing protocols is simply a matter of
installing the appropriate interface cards, which can be done without interrupting existing
network traffic (see Figure 1-4)

Figure 1-4 New modules can be added without disrupting active network traffic.

Page 1-8
INTRODUCTION

Interoperability
SONETLYNX targets all the appropriate requirements of the SONET and SDH standards
endorsed by Bellcore, ITU and ANSI. Compliance ensures the open architecture
required in today’s communication networks, allowing SONETLYNX to interoperate with
existing external equipment and with other vendors’ SONET-compliant network
backbones.

Easy Network Management


SONETLYNX's robust Network Management System (NMS) further streamlines network
operation; the SONETLYNX NMS runs under either HP OpenView or Megasys Telenium
network management platforms, allowing the SONETLYNX management system to be
integrated into existing network software. The NMS allows technicians to control,
configure and monitor every SONETLYNX module within every SONETLYNX node from
one primary site. Craft interface access by an authorized technician at any node location
and 24 hour dial-in access through a modem enhance the ease and flexibility of network
management (see Figure 1-5).

Page 1-9
CHAPTER 1

Figure 1-5 SONETLYNX Craft Interface

The management system operates in the Microsoft Windows®, Windows 95® or


Windows for Workgroups™ environments.

Network Survivability
If any type of failure should occur, SONETLYNX will automatically reroute the network
traffic to protect communication. This automatic protection switching takes place in
milliseconds, virtually eliminating network down time. In the event of a failure, network
administrators at the primary site are notified via audible and visual alarms. These alarm
signals can also trigger external signaling devices—such as lights, sirens or even
pagers—and they can be routed to any site on the network. To increase network
survivability, SONETLYNX also provides external input relays that can be virtually any
type of sensing device. Combined with SONETLYNX's output contacts, these external
input relays can be wired to activate such devices as backup generators if a power failure
is detected, fire alarms if a smoke detector is activated, or a cooling system if the
temperature rises too high.

Page 1-10
INTRODUCTION

Synchronization
SONETLYNX supports multiple sources of network timing and synchronization. Each
controller module has an internal oscillator that can be selected at the master timing
source for the network. The universal module provides two T1 or E1 inputs for external
timing sources such as a BITS clock, and an optional sub-module provides a Stratum 3E
timing source. The SONETLYNX network can automatically select the timing source,
defaulting to the most accurate clock available in the event the timing source is lost.
Alternatively, the user can designate primary, secondary, and tertiary timing sources in
the NMS.

Communication for Network Personnel


The SONETLYNX system allows network technicians to communicate with each other
along the network in several different ways. Standard features include the “Chat”
command, which allows two NMS computers attached to different nodes of the network
to send text messages back and forth, and a basic order wire function, which allows
point-to-point voice communication via a specialized telephone handset plugged into the
front of any controller module. In addition, an optional, full-featured order wire module
supports a standard telephone handset, allows network address dialing and multi-point
voice connections.

Multiple Protocols
A SONETLYNX communications node consists of an equipment shelf populated with
optical controller modules and various protocol modules. The equipment is modular in
design with on-line pluggable modules to activate the different SONETLYNX protocols.
With universal card slots, any module can be installed in any slot, minimizing additional
hardware investments. Modules include:

• OC-1 or STS-1 Controller • Voice (FXO, FXS, 4-wire E&M)

• OC-3 Controller • Ethernet

• RS-232 • T1

• RS-422 • E1

• RS-449 • Video

• V.35 • Universal Module

Page 1-11
SONETLYNX is particularly effective in a private fiber network. Some typical
SONETLYNX customers include the following:

• Competitive Access Providers • Local, County and State


(CAPs) Government

• Competitive Local Exchange • PCS Providers


Carriers (CLECs)
• Prisons
• Utilities
• Commercial Private Networks
• Intelligent Highways
• Security Services
• Airports
• Corporate Campuses

Applications transcending the majority of these markets include:

• Video Surveillance • Voice Communication

• Distance Learning • Data Transmission

• Traffic Management • LAN/WAN Connectivity

• Teleconferencing • Security Access

DISTRIBUTION
INT distributes all product lines through both large and small systems integrators and
contractors. Distributors and representatives in over 50 countries represent the INT
products. Some of INT’s largest system integrators include Alcatel, TIE Systems,
Scientific Systems, Inc., Loral and Lockheed-Martin.

With the growing market success of SONETLYNX, INT is currently qualifying, recruiting
and partnering with additional integrators who target vertical and horizontal markets.

Page 1-12

You might also like