Kintetsu Cable Network installs Foundry switches

Foundry Networks Inc. (search for Foundry Networks) says that Kintetsu Cable Network (KCN), a cable television and broadband Internet service provider in Nara region of Japan and part of the worldwide Kintetsu Group, is using the BigIron RX backbone switches to power its production network and deliver services to households and businesses throughout the area. KCN began constructing its metro ring using Foundry's FastIron Edge X Series and then launched a broadband service using fiber optics throughout the metro area. The installation of BigIron RX backbone switches is designed to reinforce the existing ring to ensure optimal service quality and efficiently increase capacity.

The 10-Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) metro ring, which comprises the BigIron RX-4 and FastIron Edge X Series 424-HF switches, was installed as KCN's core network to link together the main connection points. Customer connection points are connected to the ring, which in turn is linked to switches installed at main connection points. Currently, BigIron RX-4 switches, and FastIron Edge X Series switches are in operation.

"We selected Foundry to deliver our triple-play services because of their high-performance capabilities and extremely resilient Metro Ring Protocol technology," explains Masaru Arimoto, Communication System Section, Communication Technology Department, Technology Division for KCN. "In the past, it was not unusual to have service downtime following unexpected technical difficulties where cable connections served a large area or service interruptions following maintenance work. However, Foundry products prevent such problems as they are equipped with MRP. Since the launch of our service, we have not had one incident where a service suspension occurred from cable disconnections."

KCN is discussing the possibility of upgrading its metro loop to 10GbE as the number of its users rises. Foundry products enable a cost-effective scalability option in such cases, as all that needs to be done is to add another module to upgrade to 10GbE. Foundry products are evaluated not only in terms of their reliability and high speed, but also as an appropriate option from the perspective of future scalability.