Lucent Stinger ATM DSL Access Concentrator

​Product Background and Positioning

DSL technology can transform traditional telephone twisted pair cables into high-speed data links, supporting multiple services including voice, video, and data; ATM technology optimizes data forwarding in the core backbone network. The performance of DSLAM equipment located between the user’s DSL line and the ATM core switch directly determines the overall network operation quality. Stinger is Lucent’s operator grade next-generation DSL access concentrator, which adopts a bus less architecture to avoid the throughput and scalability bottlenecks caused by traditional proprietary buses; With high-capacity ATM switching as the core, modular design, supporting machine redundancy, and both software and hardware can be upgraded, it is aimed at forward-looking operators and business service providers.

Hardware product line

The Stinger family includes three hardware forms: FS, LS, and RT

Stinger FS: high-density model with up to 672 xDSL ports per machine; Three complete machines can be stacked in a standard data center rack, with ports up to 2016, making it the DSLAM with the highest port density in the market at that time.

Stinger LS: Compact, available in two versions for 19 inch and 23 inch cabinets; Model 1 has a maximum of 240 xDSL ports, while Model 2 has a maximum of 336 xDSL ports.

Stinger RT: Outdoor reinforced version of LS, used for outdoor environments such as roadside cabinets.

Hardware support capability

User side: Supports ADSL, G.lite, SDSL, HDSL2, SHDSL, IDSL, with plans to add VDSL in the future; Support ATM and frame relay protocol; Different types of DSL line cards can be mixed and deployed inside the chassis; Compatible with Lucent CellPipe, DSLPipe, and third-party CPE terminals.

Uplink Relay: Supports multiple relay interfaces including OC-3/STM-1, DS3/E3, T1/E1 IMA.

Traffic processing: Internally using ATM switching for traffic aggregation (rather than simple multiplexing), bandwidth will not be wasted on idle ports; Each user can support up to 8 virtual connections, with each connection having a cache of over 150 cells to accommodate burst traffic.

Network integration capability

Can be connected to mainstream ATM core switches such as Lucent CBX500 and GX550, serving as central office access devices to access the core network; It can also achieve relay relay and line line switching, saving relay link costs.

Multiple Stinger devices can be networked using any combination of star and daisy chain topologies.

Having complete ATM control capabilities: using parameter control (traffic supervision), congestion control, bandwidth management, QoS guarantee, supporting the implementation of service level agreements (SLAs) by operators.

High reliability design (ensuring the continuous operation of the network)

Modular redundancy and hot plugging: Control modules and relay modules can choose 1:1 protection; The user line module supports 1: n port redundancy; All modules support hot swapping. Automatic alarm in case of malfunction, backup module online, faulty module can be replaced online without interrupting business.

Line testing and protection: Optional loop testing module, capable of local/remote diagnosis of copper cable broadband loop faults without the need for external testing equipment; The module is equipped with built-in circuit protection to isolate external abnormal voltages and surges.

Other redundancies: redundant relay interfaces, distributed power supply, temperature control and speed regulation fans.

Network self-healing: Supports PNNI ATM dynamic routing protocol, including SPVC (Soft Permanent Virtual Circuit); Automatically re route when network devices or links fail, achieving network self-healing. SPVC combines user side PVC with network side SVC to simplify end-to-end circuit deployment and reduce DSL loop opening costs.

Core functions and business advantages

1. QoS Service Quality

Fully supports ATM forum traffic management V4.0, providing four types of QoS levels: CBR constant bit rate, VBR-rt real-time variable bit rate, VBR-nrt non real time variable bit rate, and UBR unspecified bit rate; Software upgrade supports ABR available bit rates. Operators differentiate voice, video and Internet services based on different QoS levels, and make differentiated pricing.

2. Installation and operation advantages

Whole machine integration, installation usually takes less than 1 hour; Optional loop testing module can assess the quality of the circuit in advance. Unified operation interface and Lucent ATM switch to reduce training costs.

Reduce on-site visits: relying on highly reliable hardware, faults can be remotely investigated, and faulty components can be replaced during regular maintenance; Optional integrated copper cable loop testing module, combined with LoopCare software, can remotely locate the location and type of loop faults, accurately dispatch orders, and reduce unnecessary on-site visits.

3. Business provisioning

Cooperating with Navis management system, providing visual operations, one click completion of network end-to-end DSL circuit configuration, meeting the rapid deployment needs of large-scale DSL lines.

4. Multi vendor interoperability

Lucent has launched the “Wired for DSL” certification program, which allows third-party CPE and voice gateway devices to perform interoperability certification. Multiple devices from more than 20 vendors have completed certification, supporting customers to mix multiple vendor devices.

5. Upgradeable and Scalable

Upgrade: Simply replace the control module to upgrade the ATM switching matrix of the entire machine; Subsequently, new line cards and relay modules will be added to adapt to new DSL technologies and achieve higher throughput, protecting existing investments.

Expansion: Supports cascading multiple Stingers in star and daisy chains to reduce relay overhead; We plan to carry over 9000 users under 1-2 OC-12 relays in the future.

Typical application scenarios: operator network, voice+data fusion

Broadband access network positioning: Stinger serves as an access layer DSLAM and interfaces with Lucent GX/CBX core ATM switches; The user end uses CPE terminals such as CellPipe and DSLPipe to form a complete end-to-end broadband solution.

Voice+Data Integrated Services: Deploy IAD integrated access devices on the user side, which can simultaneously carry POTS telephone fax voice traffic and internet data traffic on the same xDSL copper cable

IAD establishes two ATM PVCs: AAL2 for voice transmission (supporting up to 16 analog telephones) and AAL5 for data transmission.

The voice traffic is sent to the ATM network through Stinger, and then to the PathStar access server/voice gateway on the operator side. It is connected to the PSTN public telephone network through the GR-303/TR-008/V5.2 protocol and connected to Class 5 switches; Forward data traffic to ISP.

The Evolution History and Future Planning of Stinger Products

Stinger FS was released in 1999 and was a leading DSL access platform at the time. Within 7 months of its listing, it ranked first in the industry in terms of revenue for SDSL class DSLAMs; Further expansion of LS and RT hardware versions and release of a large number of functional modules.

Hardware evolution direction: higher port density line cards, new DSL support such as VDSL, and high-performance relay modules; Launch dedicated chassis for scenarios such as MTU/MDU multi residential units, DLC digital loop carriers, hotels, etc.

Software evolution direction: Enhance PNNI routing, end-to-end service activation, SVC, ILMI protocol support, simplify operation and maintenance; The vision goal is to achieve near plug and play DSL activation, shortening the service activation time from days/weeks to a very short time. Users can quickly use the service by purchasing DSL terminals themselves.