MGX 8220 System Overview

MGX 8220 System Overview

The MGX 8220 shelf is designed on the philosophy that large scale deployment of narrowband and medium-band services is best handled using an ATM infrastructure. In fact, support of these services can, by themselves, justify an ATM infrastructure. The same infrastructure can then be used to provide broadband services to customers when and where they are needed.

The MGX 8220 shelf is an adjunct shelf to the Cisco BPX® 8600 series wide-area switch.

Architecturally it provides:

•A means for flexibly providing many narrowband and/or medium-band ATM and non-ATM service interfaces without consuming BPX switch slots.

•Conversion of non-ATM traffic streams to and from ATM traffic streams using Adaptation Layer standards.

•A means for concentrating the traffic from the narrowband and/or medium-band interfaces onto the broadband ATM ports of the BPX switch.

Service Interfaces

The MGX 8220 shelf is a flexible standards-based service access platform. The MGX 8220 shelf can support a wide range of services over narrowband and mid-band user interfaces, mapping all the service traffic to and from ATM, based upon standardized interworking methods. The aggregated traffic is sent/received over an ATM interface to an ATM switch (BPX switch), using up a single port on the ATM switch.

Release 3.0 of the MGX 8220 shelf supports up to 40 channelized or non-channelized T1 and E1 interfaces on a single shelf providing support for Frame Relay UNI and NNI; ATM UNI, NNI, and FUNI; Frame Relay to ATM network interworking; Frame Relay to ATM service interworking and circuit emulation services. The MGX 8220 shelf Release 3.0 also supports the use of Inverse Multiplexing for ATM (IMA) to provide ATM trunking below T3/E3.

The system’s modular, software-based architecture enables it to support these and other additional user services in the future, through downloadable software upgrades or new hardware modules.

Standards-Based Conversion to ATM

All user information received by MGX 8220 interfaces is converted into 53-byte ATM cells, using standard ATM Adaptation Layers (AALs), for transport over the ATM backbone network. Cell segmentation and reassembly (SAR) and other adaptation functions are distributed to each interface module to eliminate system bottlenecks.

•For Circuit Emulation Services, AAL1 is used.

•For Frame Relay (FR to ATM network interworking), AAL5 and FR-SSCS (Frame Relay Service Specific Convergence Sublayer) are used.

•For Frame Relay to ATM service interworking, both transparent and translation modes are supported to map FR to native ATM AAL5.

•For Frame Forwarding, AAL5 is used.

1-2Cisco MGX 8220 Reference

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Cisco Systems manual MGX 8220 System Overview, Service Interfaces, Standards-Based Conversion to ATM
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MGX 8220 specifications

The Cisco Systems MGX 8220 is a versatile, high-performance media gateway that has become an integral component in the telecommunications infrastructure. Designed to facilitate the transition from traditional circuit-switched networks to advanced packet-switched environments, the MGX 8220 supports a wide array of voice, video, and data services, making it an essential tool for service providers and enterprises seeking to enhance their network capabilities.

One of the key features of the MGX 8220 is its robust signaling and media processing capabilities. Equipped with support for both Voice over IP (VoIP) and traditional telephony protocols, this gateway enables seamless integration of different communication formats. It boasts a modular architecture, which allows for the addition or removal of various line cards to meet changing demands and technology advancements. This modularity provides operators with the flexibility to scale their services without significant overhauls to their existing infrastructure.

The MGX 8220 is capable of delivering high-density media handling for a multitude of services. With its support for ATM and IP networks, the gateway can handle TDM (Time-Division Multiplexing) to packet voice conversions efficiently. It is designed to optimize network resources by dynamically allocating bandwidth based on traffic requirements, thus ensuring efficient use of network resources and improved performance.

Another significant characteristic of the MGX 8220 is its enhanced quality of service (QoS) features. This capability ensures that voice and video traffic is prioritized appropriately, minimizing latency and jitter while maximizing overall call quality. By employing sophisticated traffic management techniques, the MGX 8220 can deliver a superior user experience, which is critical for any service provider aiming to offer competitive communication solutions.

Furthermore, the gateway includes built-in security features to protect against unauthorized access and ensure the integrity of sensitive data. This includes encryption for voice and video transmission, as well as support for secure signaling protocols.

Overall, the Cisco Systems MGX 8220 stands out as a comprehensive media gateway solution, providing essential functionalities for modern communication needs. Its combination of modularity, high-density processing, effective QoS management, and security features makes it a compelling choice for organizations looking to modernize their telecommunications infrastructure while ensuring reliability and performance. As businesses continue to evolve and demand more from their networks, the MGX 8220 offers a pathway to future-ready communications.
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