[DSL developments]
John --
A good article but the trouble is these guys are always a few months behind on developments.
Let me quote from Amati's most recent IR packet:
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The Amati Allegro holds a new generatiion of ADSL modems based on the industry standard DMT technology. Starting with the Overture 8 Model 805, the Allegro offers the latest in design and performance for ADSL services.
The Overture 8 Model 805 is a step forward in DMT development and offers several advantages over the original Overture 8 model, the unit that set the standard for ADSL performance in the industry. These new features include: downloadable software for on-line upgrades and feature enhancements; adaptive ADSL power, an Amati innovation that adjust power consumption to line lengths and traffic conditions; SNMP management, permitting detailed line testing, option setting, data rate evaluation, and service administration directly via the central office (host) management connection; data packet buffers per line, assuring highest possible throughput in data applications; and rate adaptation, meeting the T1.412 standards in assigning up to four pre-set rate levels specifically to enable multiple service definitions.
With all these improvements, the most important feature designed in the Model 805 is still Amati experience. Amati has developed ADSL using DMT to offer service providers the highest level of confidence in the equipment and technology--the confidence required to develop important service offerings and expedite the roll-out of these services. The Amati technology edge has shown in test after test that Amati can provide the longest line connections at the highest data rates, the important parameters required to asure success in ADSL services.
But the Model 805 is not the completion of Amati research. The Model 805 signals a beginniing in a new phase of ADSL equipment from Amati.
As the future generations of high-speed semiconductors offer faster signal processing and system concentration at even lower power levels, Amati will continue to implement these solutions as part of an overall system response.
The Allegro Access Concentrator architecture will continually be upgraded to provide optimal network performance using the latest modem design. This means that utilizing the Amati modem and access system architecture today will ensure highest performance in the future, no matter which DMT architecture is the best choice for your application."
Further on it says:
"The Amati Allegro Access Concentrator provides a new level of management for all ADSL connections in the future. The Amati SNMP management interface means that all parameters measured by the ADSL modems during training, that all data rates used by the modems, and all options accessed by the user are available via Simple Network Management Protocol. The Amati Allegro integrates the most commonly used internetworking management protocol with the newest transmission service for both data and video applications.
SNMP management of each shelf is performed through the Management Interface Card that acts as an SNMP agent. The Management Interface Card (MiC) is installed in the modem shelf. A single MIC can be casaded to up to three additional modem shelves via the Management Interface Extenders (MIX). This means a single SNMP connection can address up to 48 central office modems and 48 subscriber modems.
The MIC converts the transmission line, modem and Concentrator information into an SNMP Management Information Base (MIB) structure. The MIC contrains the Amati Enterprise SNMP Agent. The interface supports GET, NEXT, SET, and TRAP and communicates with the appropriate SNMP Manager via a dedicated 10BaseT connection located on the rear of the master shelf. The Amati MIB Structure provides access to parameters such as availability of each ADSL line/modem, failure mode, test mode, self-test. The user can retrieve information as to errored seconds for both near and far end modems, number of Ethernet packets passed and lost, and can set configuration items including base data rate and adaptive data rates per modem.
. . .
"As the applications for ADSL services expand beyond the initial Internet access and video on demand, the access system will need compatibility with additional features. It will be important to interface to frame based and cell based protocols, such as frame relay and ATM. It will be a requirement that the system expand the number of modems installed in a single shelf. These future requirements are part of the Allegro design. The system has an expandable internal bus structure to handle higher density configurations and protocols. The shelf management interface is capable of addressing an increased number of modems per slot as well a the fram relay and ATM MIB requirements. . . . " |
