The MD8000 Media Transport System provides an unprecedented level of flexibility in content networking systems. No longer will users be faced with choosing between today’s widely available, high-reliability SONET/SDH network and tomorrow’s low cost, high-performance IP Core based systems. The MD8000 is designed to work transparently in both environments, even supporting simultaneous interconnections between both networking technologies to maximize media connectivity. In addition, the MD8000 is the only high-capacity media networking system that does not require proprietary switching elements at each network node – individual signals can be switched between paths by standard IP routers, giving system designers amazing flexibility to combine low cost, flexible MD8000 shelves in the same network as high-performance IP core routers and switches.
The MD8000EX chassis contains 24 interface slots (pictured above) that can be used for either signal or trunk interfaces, with a total backplane capacity of 480 Gbps. The MD8000 low profile chassis contains 9 dual-mode interface slots and a backplane capacity of 180 Gbps. Interoperability with the Media Links HDGigE and the MD-003 1RU chassis give the MD8000 the ability to integrate small, low bandwidth network spurs into larger networks. Existing and planned trunk interfaces include SONET and SDH interfaces running up to 10 Gbps as well as both Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet rates. Existing and planned signal interfaces include all types of compressed and uncompressed SD and HD digital video, audio, a range of telecom rates and multiple Ethernet data rates. Plus, an advanced SNMP control interface provides visibility to all key module configurations and system status reports.
Internal flexibility and adaptability to the widest range of core network technologies make the MD8000 system the idea deal choice for current and future media networking needs of carriers, large broadcasters, and smaller end users.
Building on the success of the acclaimed MD6000 system, the MD8000 incorporates many of the technologies first introduced in its predecessor. Hitless protection switching and built-in error connection ensure that media signals will survive network outages without losing a single bit of valuable content.
All of the signals present on an MD8000 system are converted into a common format prior to transport, allowing many different types of traffi c to be transported over a single backbone. All of the switching elements located in each shelf are completely non-blocking and support any conceivable type of 1 to N multipoint distribution. Signals can be looped back within any chassis and connected to any combination of other interfaces.
Signal and Trunk Interfaces
Signal interfaces provide direct connections to user video, audio, telecomm and data signals. These modules adapt and encapsulate the incoming signals into the common format used within the MD8000 backplane and switching modules for transport, including adding FEC codes, if enabled. These modules also generate de-encapsulated user signal outputs, and perform error correction and hitless protection switching when those functions are enabled. Existing and planned Signal interface types include:
Uncompressed HD Video (1.485 Gbps) Electrical or Optical
Uncompressed SD Video (270 Mbps)
DVB/ASI Video (5 –210 Mbps)
SDTI Video
Uncompressed AES/EBU Audio
10/100 BaseT Data
Gigabit Ethernet (1000BaseT) Electrical or Optical
T1/E1 Telephony
OC-3/STM-1 SONET/SDH Electrical or Optical
Trunk interfaces take groups of signals that have been encapsulated into the MD8000 payload format and send them out into a network for connection to other MD8000 shelves or to core network routers. Since they are bi-directional, Trunk interfaces can also receive signals from the network. Note that the main difference between these two interface categories is that Signal interfaces perform encapsulation/de-encapsulation, whereas Trunk interfaces do not. Existing and planned Trunk interface types include:
OC-192/STM-64 (9.952 Gbps)
OC-48/STM-16 (2.488 Gbps)
OC-12/STM-4 (622 Mbps)
OC-3/STM-1 (155 Mbps)
10 Gigabit Ethernet WAN or LAN interface
Gigabit Ethernet (1000BaseT) Electrical or Optical
Flexible Interconnection for All Media and Network Types
The real strength of the MD8000 series is the ability to handle a wide variety of signal types and to work over both current generation telecomm networks and next generation core network routers. This allows an enormous amount of flexibility for network planners, who will no longer be forced to choose between today’s robust/reliable networks and tomorrow’s unified/low cost backbones.
Other network elements are easily connected into MD8000 systems. The HDGigE™ offers low delay, high quality compression of HD signals with packet re-send capability for maximum signal integrity. The SDGigE™ offers flexible adaptation of SD and DVB/ASI signals with packet re-send and multiple unicast. Both of these cards can be connected to the GETR, which offers video-aware intelligent bandwidth management, direct interface to Ethernet and SONET/SDH networks, and supports direct optical connections to support links up to 80km and beyond.
The network diagram above shows just a fraction of the possible network confi gurations that are made possible by the MD8000 platform. On the left, low and medium bandwidth SONET/SDH connections are used, which are widely available today from many different telecom providers. These circuits are connected to an MD8000EX shelf at the network hub to provide switching, multicasting, and grooming capabilities. On the right, native IP networks are used to leverage the low cost and extreme flexibility of this rapidly growing technology. Notice particularly the central hub of the IP network – each individual MD8000 signal stream is uniquely identified to the IP core network to allow grooming, switching and multicasting inside high capacity routers. Of course, signals are easily transferred between the SONET/SDH network segments and the IP network segments at any level in the hierarchy – at the edge, in the feeder network, or directly in the core. This level of choice and flexibility is unmatched by any other media transport system on the market.
Comprehensive Network Management
Powerful networking equipment requires powerful network management tools to realize the full potential of the system. Media Links has developed the NaviNet™ to cover a wide range of product offerings, with comprehensive alarm reporting via SNMP interfaces on each network element. Summary status icons clearly show device status on a flexible mapping background. More detailed status and control operations can be carried out via clear shelf-level displays. Full alarm logging allows intermittent events to be captured and analyzed.
The MD8000 can also smoothly integrate into higher-level control systems. Verified interfaces include the Media Concepts Crossfire™ switch control utility and the Dimetis Video Link Manager™ system. Interoperability with other management platforms is supported by the SNMP support built into every shelf controller module.
