Interoperability of edge and core IP/MPLS devices proves readiness of migration from legacy IPv4 to new IPv6 networks
SAN JOSE, Calif., February 11, 2009 –– Redback Networks Inc., an Ericsson company (NASDAQ: ERIC) and a market leader for multi-service edge routers and carrier Ethernet transport, today announced it has successfully completed a series of interoperability tests conducted at the European Advanced Networking Test Center (EANTC).
EANTC’s network tests demonstrated the latest advances in MPLS and Ethernet based solutions, including inter-network connectivity tests to ensure a smooth traffic flow between two separate, autonomous networks. Several methodologies were used to conduct these tests, including IPv4/IPv6 connectivity (6VPE). These tests are especially important for peering networks and for operators who have connectivity agreements with common customers for services such as a global IP VPN.
“Almost all governments have mandated a smooth transition and inclusion plan to IPv6 services,” said Carsten Rossenhoevel, Managing Director of EANTC. “In addition, service providers specifically in Europe and Asia are seeing the number of end systems continue to grow – much of the growth is attributed to next-generation mobile networks. Enhancing backbones to support IPv6 services is both essential and inevitable, and our multi-vendor interoperability testing has proven that the industry is ready to take that step.”
Currently, most service providers have deployed their infrastructure based on IPv4, and need to support the 6VPE feature in order to integrate IPv6 service over their legacy infrastructure, without impacting either their current IPv4 backbone or any of their customer’s networks. Redback’s participation in the EANTC event focused on 6VPE over MPLS to carry IPv6 traffic. IPv6 is an important feature for expansion of address space for device inter-connectivity. Redback successfully tested IPv4/IPv6 interconnectivity by creating logically separate networks using its MPLS 6VPE solution to allow IPv6 VPN services in a scalable way, without any address restrictions. The Redback SE400 successfully passed all the interoperability tests, demonstrating to service providers an immediate and smooth transition path to IPv6 services.
“To date, IPv6 has been limited mainly to emerging technology hotspots that either lack IPv4 or other legacy networks because the migration to a new IPv6 network seemed somewhat challenging,” said Simon Williams, Sr. VP of Products, Marketing and Strategy at Redback Networks. “But, now with IPv6 also introduced to mobile networks due to their need to connect more and more devices over fast and reliable connections, service providers are ready to start deploying IPv6-based applications and services more widely. The Redback approach enables IPv4 and IPv6 services to be provided in parallel to provide a smooth path from the legacy to the next generation network. We are delighted to have participated in the rigorous EANTC testing, which is a real testament to our work with customers in developing our SmartEdge Multi-Service Edge Router.”
Redback joined 14 other network hardware companies in the interoperability tests featuring more than 75 devices. The tests were organized by EANTC and the SmartEdge MSER was tested to demonstrate interoperability of advanced Carrier Ethernet and MPLS network services in a resilient and scalable inter-carrier scenario. The multi-vendor network supported a multitude of consumer and business services. The results will be showcased this week at the MPLS and Ethernet World Congress 2009 in Paris, France.
