Bringing a new level of visibility to inter-carrier Ethernet connections, exchange operator CENX said it will integrate technology from EXFO to provide off-net monitoring and SLAs to its service-provider customers. Announced today, the new partnership will integrate EXFO’s BrixNGN service-assurance system for Carrier Ethernet into CENX’s exchanges.
“Most of the time, when carriers go off-net, they’re not able to have visibility into the SLAs when they’re buying from other providers to extend their footprint,” pointed out CENX chairman and founder Nan Chen, in a phone interview. “With this new capability, they have that visibility including to their off-net locations, from an SLA perspective, and they also have that same view, the same methodology and measurement they have with their on-net systems.”
A provider using one of the CENX Ethernet exchanges will now get active monitoring of all its virtual Ethernet connections, including to off-net locations, via the EXFO service assurance system, which will be included as part of the CENX membership. Performance and service-level data can be accessed either via CENX’s Web interface or in the operator’s OSS, using open APIs.
Along with VoIP/IMS, Carrier Ethernet is one of EXFO’s primary growth areas, said EXFO's senior director of product management Kaynam Hedayat. With its Ethernet exchange model, CENX “has put all the puzzle pieces together. We see a good portion of our momentum and growth coming in carrier Ethernet.”
CENX uses carrier-neutral and colocation/data-center neutral exchanges to interconnect Carrier Ethernet networks around the world. In late 2009 the company said it had opened its first three carrier Ethernet exchanges, in Los Angeles, New York City and Chicago. The company is one of several providers, including Equinix and Telx, that have opened such exchanges in the last year.
Last month Verizon said it will begin building its network-to-network interface to CENX’s exchange, ramping up its wholesale marketing to Tier 2 and Tier 3 providers.
