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IGAP-Support Switch Targeted for Content Distribution Providers: MRV Senior Engineer
June 12, 2003 (TOKYO) -- MRV Communications Inc is a U.S. communication equipment vendor specializing in optical data communication equipment, and its advanced function switch "OptiSwitch-Z Family" has been adopted in Japan for video transmission tests by NTT R&D centers.
Chris LaVallee, senior software test and support engineer at MRV Communications Inc
Shipments of the OptiSwitch-Z Family started in April 2001.
It will support the extended multicast protocol, IGAP, in the summer of 2003.
An interview was conducted with Chris LaVallee, senior software test and support engineer, on the new features of the product as well as its sales strategy.
Nikkei Communications: What are the features of the "OptiSwitch-Z Family"?
LaVallee: OptiSwitch-Z Family is an advanced function switch, capable of high-speed processing from layer 2 (L2) to L7, and is a product for telecommunications providers. It has lineup of three types: OptiSwitch Z1000, Z4000 and Z16000.
There are three main features; (1) the processing capability does not fall even when heavily loaded, and there is no packet loss, (2) it offers comprehensive quality of service (QoS), and (3) a Linux-OS installed module application processor can be installed.
Especially the third feature cannot be seen in switches of other companies. By mounting this module on a switch, other functions can be added, including server functions, such as the Web server and mail server, firewall, intrusion detection system (IDS), intrusion detection and prevention (IDP) and others, depending on the users needs. As there is no need for preparing special apparatus for individual functions, cost as well as the management load can be reduced. We will add a new function for content delivery in July.
Q: Can you tell us more about the new function?
A: It will support IGAP for user authentication protocol (IGAP) for the first time. IGAP is the extended version of the multicasting protocol, the Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP). It is scheduled to be standardized by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) as early as this summer.
Q: What will become possible in practice?
A: In multicasting using IGMP, there were some problems. For example, anyone could connect with arbitrary multicasting groups, and it was not possible to monitor which contents had what degree of access concentration. These problems are solved by supporting IGAP. This will prove effective for the providers that distribute content using multicasting, or company users who distribute content within the company. As an IGAP compatible OptiSwitch and an authentication server are used, the switch links up with the authentication server and performs user authentication at the start, and at the end, of content reception. Only authenticated users can receive contents.
Because analysis of access information can be performed using the statistical information recorded in the authentication server, the popular contents can be detected at a glance. Accurate billing for every user or group can be possible, too.
Q: Tell us about the marketing strategy in Japan.
A: Hitachi Kokusai Electric Services Inc, with whom we have had an agency contract for some time, will act as the unitary window, and the number of secondary agencies will be increased to between three and five. In Japan, broadband circuits, such as asymmetric digital subscriber lines (ADSL), are rapidly gaining popularity. It is very likely that more providers will officially launch contents distribution. Such content distribution providers are the main targets.
A serious promotion is scheduled at "NetWorld+Interop 2003 Tokyo" (held at Makuhari Messe, Chiba, from June 30).
Related link: MVR Communications
(Seiji Munakata, Staff Editor, Nikkei Communications) |
