CableLabs, looking to speed up market introduction of Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON) equipment, has launched an equipment certification program for its DOCSIS Provisioning of EPON (DPoE) project.
“Having devices qualified by CableLabs promises to encourage widespread deployment of this new technology and lower costs to both cable operators and business customers by leveraging the proven provisioning capabilities of DOCSIS,” said Nomi Bergman, president of Bright House Networks, in a press release.
Published in February 2011, the DPoE Program (DOCSIS Provisioning of EPON) allows equipment makers to certify that their technology and devices are compliant with CableLabs DPoE version 1.0 specifications, “which describe a common approach for using DOCSIS back-office provisioning processes to deliver business data services over EPON access networks,” the cable industry R&D consortium explained.
EPON is “rising in prominence and scale as medium and large businesses increasingly demand high-capacity data networking solutions,” CableLabs notes. “We continue to see greater demand for our IP and Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF)-based business services, and are excited to deploy qualified DPoE devices in our network, facilitating a common approach for provisioning and greater cost efficiencies,” said Mike LaJoie, executive vice president and chief technology officer for Time Warner Cable.
In December, CableLabs hosted its fourth DPoE interoperability event. Nineteen cable industry suppliers participated in the event, which focused on the DPoE specifications. In addition to defining requirements and functionality to support Metro Ethernet services, such as Ethernet Private Line (EPL), the DPoE provides provisioning requirements for EPON equipment version 1.0 of the DPoE specification.
