RAD Data Communications ACE-3600 Installation And Operation Manual - Chapter  1

ACE-3600  Ver. 5.2 

Overview 1-1 

Chapter  1 

Introduction 

1.1 

Overview 

ACE-3600 is an advanced carrier-class gateway, optimized for transporting 

3G/3.5G voice and HSDPA data traffic over next-generation core PSNs 

(packet-switched networks), including Layer-2, MPLS or IP. Its modular physical 

architecture, hardware redundancy features and aggregation abilities make  

ACE-3600 a customizable, fail-safe and high-end traffic concentrator for third-

generation cellular operators and carriers. 

Typically located at the 3G RNC site, the unit interconnects with the RNC and 

converts up to 4 simultaneous fiber optic STM-1/OC-3c (ATM-155) links to virtual 

pseudowire (PW) connections that are established over a packet-switched 

network, using the unit's Gigabit Ethernet interface. Both the Gigabit Ethernet 

and the four STM-1/OC-3c links can be protected using an additional interface 

module (optional). 

Since traffic timing synchronization plays a critical role in cellular backhaul 

applications, ACE-3600 can distribute the ATM timing over the packet-switched 

network. 

Additional features of ACE-3600 include (see 

Features

 for more details): 

•  Advanced pseudowire connectivity verification using VCCV-BFD messages 

•  End-to-end fault propagation between legacy and packet-switched networks 

•  A choice of clock synchronization modes 

•  Full system redundancy protection  

•  Full OAM and statistics collection features  

•  Self-diagnostic tools 

•  Inband and out-of-band management via various management access types 

and user interfaces. 

Product Options 

Chassis Options 

The ACE-3600 chassis is 2U high and fully modular. 

The chassis has a passive backplane that includes pin connectors with which the 

main modules and interface modules engage. The chassis supports the following 

modules: