Edge, core blurring

Recent announcements from leading router vendors indicate that the distinction between core and edge is rapidly blurring.

Cisco recently announced a four-slot version of its 12000 series Internet routers that's designed to push IP services from core ISP points of presence down into the metro and edge at OC-192. And Avici last week rolled out a half-size version of its TSR intended to bring core OC-192 routing to Tier2/3 providers and metro/regional POPs.

Juniper is also expected to push hard on the edge later this year and early next with enhancements to its dedicated access portfolio, which is now comprised of the M5, M10 routers, and blades for the M20 and M40. Juniper may be whipping up next-generation, higher density dedicated access platforms that also drive OC-192 down market and feature enhanced software scalability and resiliency.

The product launches and expected launches are intended to enable core ISPs to reach down market, into metro and edge environments. But they also indicate that a requirement is bubbling up from the access/edge side for increased capacity closer to the subscriber to aggregate and "service stamp" traffic from an increasing number of broadband access links.

These vendors seem to be saying that if there's a fiber glut, it will soon be lit. If there's a bandwidth glut, it will soon be consumed. We're just in a bit of a lag period waiting for demand to catch up with capacity, Avici says.

IP services, such as high-speed multicast, quality of service and security, which were once consigned to the core POP, are making their way down market. And where OC-48 was the currency of 6 to 18 months ago, it is now OC-192, at both the core and the edge.

Contact Edge Managing Editor Jim Duffy

Other recent articles by Duffy

Avici scales down core
The Edge, 10/10/01.

Juniper enhances routers with MPLS VPNs, dedicated access modules
The Edge, 05/16/01.

Cisco brings POP to the MAN
The Edge, 10/01/01.