Marking the next stage in the development of ethernet technology, the service will allow organisations to increase the efficiency of their voice and data connectivity across multiple sites by giving them greater control over their network.
At a time when capital and operating budgets are under pressure, the new service couples lower implementation and maintenance charges, with effective network control. This enables organisations to scale their network in the future, using their bandwidth more effectively to manage peaks and troughs in traffic. The net result is that they can provide their organisation with guarantees regarding the quality of service the communications infrastructure will deliver.
Joel Stradling, senior analyst for business telecom services, at competitive intelligence company, Current Analysis, stated: “The launch of a national VPLS-based ethernet VPN service puts ntl:Telewest Business in a solid position to meet growing demand among UK businesses for Layer 2 any-to-any connectivity. Customers seeking to migrate from less scalable legacy technologies, can get a flexible multi-protocol solution backed by up to seven classes of service and maintain IP routing control, if they so desire. Finally ntl:Telewest Business’ Ethernet VPN is part of a broad portfolio backed by their own national infrastructure, which is difficult for rivals to match.”
The service simplifies multiple site network configuration by bringing ethernet out of the LAN and into the WAN. As a result, customers are able to set up and manage their IP routing, allowing them to make changes as and when required. The service is built using Alcatel-Lucent Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS) switches in the core network, enabling customers to securely transport voice, video and data over an any-to-any shared infrastructure.
ntl:Telewest Business has been working with Alcatel-Lucent for a number of years and deployed its VPLS technology internally in 2005. The two companies have worked together to develop VPLS, Ethernet VPN being the first service ntl:Telewest Business has launched using this technology.