iConverter GM3
Network Interface Devices

• Functions as a Service or Transport Network Interface Device
• IEEE 802.3ah Link OAM for per port link monitoring
• IEEE 802.1ag Service OAM for end-to-end fault detection and performance monitoring
• ITU-T Y.1731 End-to-End Performance Monitoring
• Geo-diverse uplink redundancy (1:1) option
• Remote management through TELNET, SNMPv1/v2c/v3 and IP-less 802.3ah OAM extensions
• SNMP management via Omnitron’s NetOutlook^® management software
• 802.1ad VLAN stacking (Q-in-Q) for E-Line and E-LAN service multiplexing
• Granular Rate Limiting using Committed Information Rate (CIR) and Committed Burst Size (CBS) per UNI, EVC, CoS
• Class of Service mapping based on 802.1p, ToS/DSCP and L2CP for QoS prioritization
• Small Form Pluggable (SFP) transceivers for standard or CWDM applications
• Supports 100BASE-FX and 1000BASE-X SFPs for interoperability with Gigabit and Fast Ethernet fiber equipment
• Fixed-fiber connectors available for multimode and single-mode dual fiber and single-mode single-fiber
• Customer-facing service port available in copper RJ-45 or SFP Fiber interfaces
• 10,240 byte Jumbo frames
• Commercial, wide and extended temperature ranges

The iConverter GM3 is a flexible and cost-effective Network Interface Device (NID). The GM3 can operate as a Transport NID or as a Service NID to provide demarcation functions for in-franchise and out-of-franchise Ethernet service applications.

As a Transport NID, the GM3 operates as a remotely-managed media converter with carrier-grade OAM capabilities. It is service transparent, and passes all data without performing traffic management. The traffic management functions can be performed by the Service Provider at the edge of the network.

As a Service NID, the GM3 provides Service Mapping and Traffic Policing and Shaping. The GM3 supports MEFcertified User-to-Network Interface (UNI) functions such as CoS prioritization, granular rate-limiting, and 802.1ad Provider Bridge VLAN stacking
(Q-in-Q) for service multiplexing of multiple E-LINE and E-LAN services.

In both operational modes, the GM3 conforms to the latest carrier-class Ethernet OAM standards. 802.3ah Link OAM proactively monitors the network provider’s fiber access link and subscriber link (customer-facing) for physical failures and data errors. The 802.1ag Service OAM provides end-to-end Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) and performance monitoring. Y.1731 Performance Monitoring tools continuously monitor key Service Level Agreement (SLA) parameters including frame delay, frame delay variation, frame loss and availability. These OAM features provide the efficient detection and rapid isolation of potential service problems enabling SLA assurance while reducing Operational costs (OPEX) of maintaining the network.

The GM3 fiber ports can support Gigabit (1000BASE-X) or Fast Ethernet (100BASE-FX) fiber access links by utilizing an SFP transceiver with the desired data rate. The triple-speed copper interface operates at 1000, 100 or 10Mbps rate. The GM3 is available in 2-port or 3-port options. In the 3-port configuration, the GM3 can be used in geo-diverse redundant applications or in a multi-tenant application with two subscriber ports.

The standalone GM3 is available as a DC powered tabletop or wall-mounted unit that can be ordered with an external AC/DC power adapter or direct terminal connector.

Carrier-Grade OAM

 

This out-of-franchise (off-net) application illustrates an E-Line service (Ethernet Virtual Circuit) between two customer locations that geographically spans two or more Independent Operator networks. The Service Provider responsible for billing and service contract has installed iConverter GM3 NIDs at each subscriber location, which function as the end points of the Service Provider Maintenance Domain. Through 802.1ag and Y.1731 Service OAM, the GM3 NIDs constantly monitor the end-to-end service performance of the network, and the Service Provider has visibility across the Operators’ networks for assurance that the contracted Service Level Agreement expectations are being met.