Media Converter connects Fast and Gigabit Ethernets.

Press Release Summary:



Fully compliant with Ethernet in Last Mile 802.3AH standard using OAM for management, 100FX to 1000SX/LX remotely managed converter offers means to connect Fast Ethernet to Gigabit and can also be assigned its own IP address. Device, available as standalone or chassis card form factor, enables service providers to monitor link, activate loopback, provision bandwidth, enter and manage VLANs, and choose appropriate mode of connection from Network Management centers.



Original Press Release:



Transition Networks Extends Remote Management with 802.3AH Ethernet in the First Mile Converter



Company Eases Migration from Fast Ethernet to Gigabit

CHICAGO, June 5 -- The conversion technology and switching expert, Transition Networks Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Communications Systems, Inc., today announced the extension of its line of 802.3AH compliant media converters with the introduction of the first 100FX to 1000SX/LX remotely managed converter. With the migration from Fast Ethernet to Gigabit, Transition Networks now offers customers a way to connect the two interfaces.

This new converter is fully compliant with the new Ethernet in the Last Mile 802.3AH standard using OAM for management; it can also be assigned its own IP address. The device is available as either a standalone or chassis card form factor. This latest addition enables service providers to monitor the link, activate loopback, provision the bandwidth, enter and manage VLANs, QoS and choose appropriate mode of connection straight from their Network Management centers.

"Transition Networks is committed to meeting the infrastructure needs of our customers. Now service providers can connect Fast Ethernet Fiber ports to their Gigabit Ethernet infrastructure," said Bill Schultz, vice president of marketing at Transition Networks. "By extending our remote management conversion line, we continue to provide our customers with unique end-to-end solutions for managing their customer connections."

Product Features

The new 100FX to 1000SX/LX-10/BX converter supports the IEEE 802.3AH OAM In-Band management for monitoring, reporting and active management of the entire link. Remote loopback can also be activated should troubleshooting be required. A service level differentiation can be achieved by providing different bandwidth levels for different customers at a different cost.

Network security and segmentation is supported by full VLAN management. QoS and a wide variety of link monitoring, troubleshooting, and reporting features increase network performance. Digital diagnostics enable network administrators to measure the quality of the optical connection and report it over the OAM and SNMP management. Link Loss Notification signals the fault to the management. IEEE802.1X and Radius enable user authentication and increase network security and ease of user management.

This converter solution can be managed via graphical user interfaces such as Focal Point, HPOV or Cisco Works as well as any web browser, telnet or local serial command line interface. Service providers can also gather information about customers' bandwidth and traffic utilization. Management security is assured by a variety of Transition Networks' security features including Firewall (IP filtering), ACL - Access Control Lists, SNMP Lock (Complete SNMP lock) or local CLI lock (no local access).

The product has all typical features including Auto-Negotiation, Symmetrical or Asymmetrical Pause, Transparent Link Pass Through and Automatic Link Restoration. The Automatic Link Restoration feature ensures that once the fault condition is removed, no user intervention is ever required to bring the entire link back up again.

While the product is fully compliant with the 802.3AH standard, the customer does have the option of programming the converters with their own IP address if that is the preferred method of managing the devices.

Product Configuration

Transition's remotely managed 100/1000 media converter is available in Point System modular chassis card and a standalone version. These products can be used in pairs or with any other IEEE 802.3AH product.

About Transition Networks Products

Transition Networks' conversion products are known for their ruggedness and reliability. They have a 99.4 percent customer acceptance rating, meaning that approximately one in 1,000 experience failure in the field. All Transition Networks brand of media converters carry a lifetime warranty.

About Transition Networks Inc.

Transition Networks Inc. offers networking connectivity solutions that make networks perform better, faster and more reliably while helping companies leverage their existing networking infrastructure. The company's Transition Networks brand of media converters make conversion between disparate media types possible, providing conversion technology solutions that offer the necessary adaptations without affecting the performance, nature or appearance of the network. Its complete Milan portfolio of multilayer switching and wireless products are designed to facilitate low-cost network evolution with unique solutions, easing the stress on networks caused by high-bandwidth applications. Based in Minneapolis, Transition Networks distributes hardware-based connectivity solutions exclusively through a network of resellers in 50 countries, including Ingram Micro and Tech Data. Transition Networks is a wholly owned subsidiary of Communications Systems, Inc., a publicly traded company (AMEX:JCS).

All Topics