EoC – Ethernet over Copper

Ethernet over Copper (EoC) will become more and more widely used as an alternative to bonded T1 and fractional DS3. It actually fills the gap in between. A major advantage is that – what’s in a name – it runs over copper where as with a (fractional) DS3 fiber is required, which often results in a high local loop cost or extremely expensive build outs if the building is not lit.

XO Communications is one of the carriers aggresively playing the ethernet field. They offer a 10Mbps ethernet over copper circuit for under $1500 per month (edit: with more competition we are now able to offer Ethernet over Copper (or sometimes Ethernet over serial, aka ethernet over DS1 ) to customers at $1000-$1500. If you compare that to the cost of a bonded NxT1 or fractional DS3, ethernet over copper pricing is great. Another advantage of EoC over NxT1 is the lower CPE hardware cost, as EoC is delivered over an ethernet handoff.

XO’s Ethernet over Copper actually runs over 5 pairs of copper, and even with a few pairs down it will continue to run (on a lower speed). Since it is an ethernet hand off the cost of the CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) is much lower.

Contact us to see if Ethernet over Copper (EoC) is available at your business location.

XO XOptions Flex over 10,000 business customers

XO ’s XOptions® Flex, its award-winning VoIP services bundle, now supports more than 10,000 business customers in more than fifty-five major metropolitan markets across the United States.

Launched two years ago, XOptions Flex has rapidly grown to be one of the most widely deployed VoIP services bundle for small and medium-sized businesses and large enterprises with remote offices. As an integrated IP services solution, XOptions Flex offers businesses all the benefits of IP with enhanced features, functionality and value for voice, Internet access and web hosting services all in one simple package.

An interesting IP VPN application

Stereotaxis will be using Global Crossing’s IP VPN service for their the Stereotaxis Odyssey Network. Now that in itself is not that interesting, however the IP VPN application is a good example of how this technology can benefit us all.

Level 3 Enterprise IP Trunking Service

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT 

The Level 3 Enterprise IP Trunking service provides Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) access for IP PBXs through Level 3 dedicated native IP connections, delivered directly to the enterprise LAN/WAN. The Level 3 Enterprise IP Trunking service is ideal for customers who prefer the simplicity of direct IP access to the PSTN for their IP PBX instead of TDM connections. The service operates on the Level 3 Tier-1 IP backbone, one of the largest and most advanced in the world. Our Enterprise IP Trunking service has diversity and redundancy built into the physical network and the VoIP service infrastructure to enhance reliability and performance. All Voice over IP (VoIP) traffic remains on the Level 3 premium IP backbone until it reaches the PSTN, which helps improve overall service quality and ease problem resolution.

More info and speak to a consultant: link

MPLS – how it can save you money

Technology

MPLS is an acronym for Multi Protocol Label Switching. I will try not to get into the boring technical details, but the magic word here is Multi Protocol. Why would you care? If your company fits the profile, an MPLS network can save you money.

With an MPLS network you can combine different types of data (hence the Multi Protocol) onto one network. You can run VoIP, application data like Human Resource Management software, internet access, a secure multi location LAN etc. at the same time over the same network.

Not only can this save you money by combining these different networks into one MPLS network, it also greatly reduces the cost and resources of managing these networks.

To process all these different types of data, an MPLS network uses several Classes of Service (CoS) to ensure the Quality of Service (QoS) by assigning different profiles to different applications. You can imagine that for VoIP, or video conferencing, speed is more important than for email. You wouldn’t care if an email arrived 200 milliseconds later, but such an echo on a phone call sure would be annoying. Thus, by assigning a higher Class Of Service, these packets take priority on the MPLS network.