Redback Networks, an Ericsson company that develops IP-based routers and switches for 75+ percent of the world’s largest telephone carriers, has introduced “in-service software upgrade” (ISSU) capabilities for Redback’s entire family of IP-based routers and switches.
The new software feature allows carriers to upgrade the operating system for Redback routers and switches without taking them out of service. The PC world equivalent would be upgrading to a new version of Windows without shutting down PC or Web applications. Introducing ISSU separates Redback-Ericsson from other router companies. It establishes Redback’s products as the first and only family of routers and switches on the market that can be upgraded in real-time with no disruption in network operations and subscriber services.
ISSU is the latest feature in the SmartEdge operating system, and is available for installation now. It is uniformly supported on all SmartEdge platforms (400, 800, 1200), as well as Redback’s new SM series of smart Ethernet switches. The technology innovation behind the Redback’s IP platform is at the center of Ericsson efforts to deliver full service broadband.
SmartEdge routers manage up to 107 million DSL subscribers worldwide. There are approximately 210 million DSL subscribers today. Redback routers are deployed in several large networks where many router uptimes have exceeded 800 days. ISSU extends Redback’s focus on reliability and system availability, giving carriers the same performance as class-five circuit switches – the gold standard of network reliability.
Redback will be demonstrating these capabilities at NXTcomm in booth #SU-7410 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, June 16-19.
