The Cisco® ME 3600X Series of Ethernet Access Switches is Cisco's first series of switches built specifically for the convergence of wireless and wire-line services. A natural evolution to Cisco's Carrier Ethernet portfolio, the Cisco ME 3600X Series extends the portfolio's transport speed to 10 Gbps in the access layer for business and mobile applications. It also enables service providers to initiate Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) -based VPN services from within the access layer. Designed around key Carrier Ethernet features that simplify network operation, the Cisco ME 3600X Series enables premium services with enhanced service-level agreement (SLA) capabilities. An optional "pay-as-you-grow" feature and service activation model gives service providers a flexible, cost-effective solution.

Powered by the Cisco Carrier Ethernet ASIC

Powered by the Cisco Carrier Ethernet ASIC - designed specifically with service providers in mind, the Cisco ME 3600X series delivers essential Carrier Ethernet technologies including: H-QoS, MPLS, and Virtual Private LAN Services (VPLS). This custom and advanced ASIC design provides un-interrupted line rate performance while delivering complex services such as ACL and H-QoS. The Carrier Ethernet ASIC integrates Cisco traffic management innovation to deliver intelligent packet switching and routing operations.

MPLS in the Access Layer

The Cisco ME 3600X Series extends MPLS into the access layer by allowing service providers to initiate MPLS-based Layer 2 and Layer 3 VPN services from within the access layer. The Cisco ME 3600X Series gives service providers the ability to expand MPLS toward their network edge to gain the advantages of a single unified MPLS control plane across their network. The Cisco ME3600X offers full VPLS support allowing multipoint services definition. For additional flexibility, VPLS can be deployed as a full mesh or with a hierarchy (H-VPLS).

“Pay-as-you-Grow” Investment Model

The use of licensing to activate features on the Cisco ME 3600X Series allows service providers to customize and schedule their investment in access features for a time when network growth and customer demand justify the investment. Unlike investments in the core and edge, where the physical location of network assets has minimal impact on their accessibility and usage, the ROI on an access element is heavily influenced by its location in the network and proximity to customers. The ability to deploy the Cisco ME 3600X Series and later activate features as demand and growth dictate, with little if any need for service calls, delivers highly measureable investment protection. This allows flexible timing for migrating from 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps, deploying MPLS services, and boosting service capacity.

Advanced Service-Level Agreements (SLA)

Service-aware quality of service (QoS) allows service providers to expand and differentiate their services portfolio with highly advanced and differentiating SLAs. The Hierarchical QoS capabilities of the Cisco ME 3600X Series scale to eight queues per service, three levels of scheduling, and buffer volumes capable of accommodating today’s most demanding wireline and wireless applications.

Mobile Timing and Synchronization Services

The Cisco ME 3600X Series provides the timing services required in today’s converged access network to support mobile solutions including Radio Access Network (RAN) applications and offers integrated support for Building Integrated Timing Supply (BITS) interface. The Cisco ME 3600X Series also supports synchronous Ethernet (SyncE) with Ethernet Synchronization Messaging Channel (ESMC) and Synchronization Status Messages (SSM) to allow best clock source traceability.

Operational Efficiency for Carrier Ethernet Access Deployments

The Cisco ME 3600X Series features key enhancements that help service providers simplify and facilitate the management of their networks, for reduced operational costs. With this unique feature set, the Cisco ME 3600X Series can be deployed in a variety of applications including business service with 10 Gigabit Ethernet User Network Interface (UNI) and Ethernet mobile backhaul. These features enhance performance awareness, facilitate troubleshooting, and simplify service turn-up and restoration, ultimately reducing operational cost. “Dying gasp” for power indicators and four external alarm inputs to detect changes in remote sites further help service providers manage the health of network elements.

High-Performance Hardware

Based on the Cisco Carrier Ethernet ASIC, the Cisco ME 3600X Series is a non-blocking switching system providing line-rate Carrier Ethernet performance. The custom Cisco Carrier Ethernet ASIC technology supports next-generation Carrier Ethernet service integration without affecting line-rate performance. The 1RU switch holds two slots for hot-swappable and redundant power supplies. Three fans are integrated into each power supply, providing fan redundancy.

High Availability is also achieved on the Cisco ME 3600X Series through proactive diagnostic tools including Generic On-Line Diagnostics (GOLD) and Onboard Failure Logging (OBFL). These tools help service providers avoid potential problems before they occur and troubleshoot and diagnose once identified.