WiMAX Gateway Appliance
Introduction
As more users demand broadband access on the move, WiMAX technology (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) shows great potential for service providers to deliver cost-effective broadband access over a wide geographic area. It often serves as a substitute for DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) to extend Internet services to rural areas, or as a WiFi hotspot backhaul which is less expensive than wired public networks.
Solution
A WiMAX network is built from many Access Service Networks (ASNs) that encompass a number of base stations. Each ASN has an ASN gateway that is used to control the transition of users from one base station to another. The ASN gateway must be built on an industrial-grade IP networking platform that is highly reliable and available. Based on the diverse requirements for WiMAX deployments in different towns or campuses, the platform must be scalable from small deployments of only a few base stations, to nationwide deployments involving a large number of base stations.
System
The Advantech NCP-3120 is designed for ASN gateways that require high network throughput and computing power. The NCP-3120 is a 1U platform based on the industry leading Cavium OCTEON Network Services Processor. This multi-core MIPS64 processor provides excellent hardware-based network acceleration functions, including TCP offload, security encryption, pattern matching and more. The system has two CN3800 NSP processors offering stable computing power to manage network traffic from all twenty Gigabit Ethernet ports on the system. A PMC expansion slot supports LAN or HDD expansions. Also, redundant power supply and hot-swappable fans in the system bring greater reliability and availability to the system. Apart from the hardware design and system integration, Advantech's own software team also developed the boot loader and device drivers to make it easier for the customer to port software. In addition, the platform is NEBs level 3 compliant, making it the ideal solution for WiMAX deployment.
Benefits
- Network processor based platform offers performance at wire-speed for small packet traffic
- Validated boot loader and device driver helps customer software development
- Modular power supplies, fans and HDDs reduces maintenance costs once deployed