Hi Temp,
For one thing, the 20-20 is a multiple purpose switch, but it is not the top of the line when it comes to open programmable interfaces, nor does it support VoIP in any packaged manner, like others out there (SUMA, XLSW). But that is not the stated intention of using it, is it? I keep seeing more and more language about sending traditional switched services over Fnet, and satellite services, to boot. Perhaps WLV has a notion about creating such a VoIP packaged interface to it, but I've not read anything to that effect in anything I've read, and I'm only speculating here.
The pricing is entirely dependent on the features and bells&whistles needed. In an international arena, those accessories are often numerous, and I don't know what they are looking for. The hardware alone is probably on a par or a little "more" than the similar hardware-only configurations of its competitors, but the entire package "including software" is probably less than its competitors'. But, by the same token, the feature richness of the 20-20 does not approach those of its dominant competitors DSC, SUMA and XLSW.
Actually, the host operating systems of the Sattel Switch as well as that of the Harris 20-20, I believe, are both proprietary, and that is the reason they never made our short list at the time we were evaluating this class.
Secondly, ever since Divestiture 1, the North American Five Class Switching Hierarchy has been getting flatter and flatter until recently, many class 5's (end office switches) have been talking to one another over direct trunking, even across very long distances, as opposed to following the pre-divestiture up and down the ladder routine.
Class 4s are now manufacturer discontinued in many instances, such as those made by LU (#4ESS, for example). Instead, class 4 tandem "functionality" is being incorporated into Class 5's and International Gateway switches, but the latter are actually only distant variations of Class 4's since they must meet ITU interface and signalling
requirements which are different than domestic ones.
And the notion that the class four is second largest only to the class 5 is too revealing about the level of expertise on the thread to even discuss, except to state that class number has nothing to do with switching power or size.
Take a look at the Harris (HRS) news releases and you'll see that they have recently sold radios and satellite systems (in which case it is not unusual to often find at least one typical switch in the deal for gatewaying) to US Military Forces in Eastern Europe and the Scandanavian countries.
I've refrained from correcting folks on the thread, but you can be my guest to repeat these fact, if you choose.
anonymous
T'
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