Aricent bagged a contract to develop Optical Packet Switch and Transport network platform capable of supporting NGN for Ireland’s Intune Networks.

Aricent says that while IP and Ethernet are changing the overall nature of communications with the convergence of Ethernet and the Transport Network, a significant bottleneck is posed by the stacked network switching equipment and the associated static optical transport interconnects which continue to exist.

According to Aricent its solution helps Intune to address this issue by virtualizing physical networks through a distributed Layer 2 switch, the advantage being that the resultant network design is a highly simplified network with predictability and quality of performance guaranteed. Aircent claims that the solution also delivers up to 75% reduction in power consumption compared to existing designs.

“Aricent was the natural partner of choice for our product development program due to their domain expertise in Ethernet switching and market leadership with their Intelligent Switching Solution software framework,” said Tim Fritzley, CEO of Intune Networks. “Unprecedented bandwidth demand has created a unique opportunity for Intune’s OPST system utilizing innovative tunable laser technology that helps deliver the high speed and energy efficiency needed in the metro core. Aricent’s ISS has been a key component to help us deliver this innovative solution.”

“This joint effort represents tremendous technology and development synergy,” said Arputham Ganesan, assistant vice president at Aricent. “Aricent offers Intune Networks a unique combination of proven and tested intellectual property as well as the expert product lifecycle services in support of the company’s introduction of advanced, high-capacity OPST platforms. This collaboration with Intune enables an accelerated time to market by virtue of Aricent’s optimized ISS framework, reduced risk and development costs for our mutual customers.”