Cortina Systems and Oliver Solutions have joined a batch of suppliers that are targeting an emerging market for EPON gear that utilizes DOCSIS-style provisioning.
The vendors staked claims on being first to show chip-level interoperability on symmetric 10G-EPON devices that use DOCSIS Provisioning of EPON, a CableLabs specification that bridges cable’s backoffice systems to EPON-based fiber-to-the-premises deployments. Cable operators are increasingly using FTTP to deliver services to businesses and, on a much more limited basis, for new residential housing deployment opportunities.
For the interop, Cortina said it matched its CS8124 10G-EPON OLT and CS8160 10G-EPON ONU devices with a DPoE software stack from Oliver Solutions, a company that specializes in software defined-networking (SDN) and networks functions virtualization (NFV)-based management software.
Oliver Solutions said its software stack is based on DPoE 2.0, a version that adds more depth and breadth by supporting elements such as IPv6 and more advanced Metro Ethernet Forum services.
Several suppliers have already obtained DPoE 1.0 qualification from CableLabs, including Alcatel-Lucent, Aurora Networks, CTDI, CommScope, Huawei, Sumitomo Electric, and ZTE
In the DPoE world, the DPoE System is analogous to the cable modem termination system (CMTS) in the DOCSIS world, while the Optical Network Unit (ONU) behaves as the modem at the customer premises.
"CableLabs is proud to facilitate these interoperability events so companies like Cortina Systems can drive the implementation of this technology into the market. This enables MSOs to deploy PON-based services with existing DOCSIS(R) provisioning backend and processes," Curtis Knittle, director of optical technologies at CableLabs, said.
CableLabs is also working on a similar initiative that will support DOCSIS provisioning on GPON-based networks. Those specs – DOCSIS Provisioning of GPON, or DPoG -- specs are expected to be released by CableLabs later this year .
