Datatek Applications

When the Integral Access team began work on the development of its central-office multi-service access product, PurePacketNode, the requirement for a speedy time to market was heavily driven by customer need. The idea of aggressive recruiting and assimilation of new staff to the company’s technology and processes prompted Integral Access’ top management to seek an alternative approach. Therefore, Datatek Applications was sought out because of its expertise in the development of real-time embedded systems and its experience in delivering telecommunications products in a shortened interval.

Network Migration Services

Case Study

The Mechanized Loop Test (MLT) Operations System (OS) is considered a critical component in the maintenance of end-user “loop” (i.e., telephone line) facilities. The MTL OS conducts automated facility tests and provides real time analysis of facility service states, occasionally followed by notification of potential problems before they impact telephone service.

The central component of an MLT networking infrastructure is the Data Communications Network (DCN) -- a stand-alone message router interconnecting an MLT host to the Loop Test System (LTS). MLT hosts may directly connect to the DCN where co-location is feasible otherwise, modems and leased facilities are used. Leased facilities also connect the DCN and LTS resident in different Central Offices (COs). A BNS-2000 network improves upon the abovementioned DCN solution by interconnecting the devices required for an MTL OS at the edges of a BNS-2000 WAN thus eliminating the co-location issue and costs associated with multiple leased facilities.

The Telephone Company Data Center communications infrastructure used to interconnect an MLT host to the LTS is aging. Hardware and Software support of the DCN has moved into the secondary maintenance market, limiting the number of personnel with the depth of knowledge to sustain this type of test network. Datatek’s migration solution consisting of the Datatek DT-6061 Embedded Network Processor with resident IP-LTCN software replaces the DCN. In concert with an updated LTS, the MLT OS is brought up to current, maintainable technology.