MRV'S Next-Gen Gigabit/Fast Ethernet Multi-Function Media Converter Simplifies Cable Management with Single Module

CHATSWORTH, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Dec 21, 2009 MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC., today announced the Fiber Driver EM316GSW-XY, a Gigabit/Fast Ethernet multi-function media converter. The EM316GSW-XY is the latest addition in the company’s XY family of next-generation optical media converters. MRV is a leading networking company with a full line of packet-optical transport (P-OTS), carrier Ethernet, 40G networking and out-of-band networking products.

The Fiber Driver XY family of media converters offers multiple functions combined with a flexible multi-rate small form-factor pluggable (SFP) design. The devices feature built-in media conversion, signal repeating and lambda conversion with optional wave division multiplexing (WDM) technology available via SFP interfaces. MRV launched this line of media converters in 2005 with the EM316SW-XY and most recently announced the EM316T1E1-XY, which supports T1/E1/J1 networks.

The EM316GSW-XY combines two 10/100/1000 Ethernet copper ports and two 100/1000 SFP Ethernet ports with four modes of operation to serve as a dual media converter, redundant converter, signal repeater or a four-port multi-media 100/1000 Ethernet switch.

The EM316GSW-XY may act as a dual independent copper-to-fiber converter. The device operates in standalone unmanaged mode, or can also be used in a 16-slot Fiber Driver chassis supporting up to 30 converters. In the redundant converter mode, the module can provide a self-healing copper-to-fiber connection for mission critical networks. With its built-in signal repeating capability, the device also acts as a two-port fiber and copper network distance extender.

And finally, in switch mode, the system acts as a mixed-media Ethernet switch, allowing layer-two switching of Fast/Gigabit Ethernet traffic to or from a fiber-based linear or ring network. Utilizing MRV’s layer one automatic protection switching (MAPS) protocol, the EM316GSW-XY can also achieve fault tolerance in ring topologies to ensure continued operations demanded in high availability networks.

“Typically, managing network cabling change and evolution has meant single function devices that can’t evolve with network change,” said Noam Lotan, chief executive officer of MRV Communications. “With the versatility of the EM316GSW-XY media converter, enterprises can utilize the module’s four modes of operations to meet a variety of functions and reduce replacement inventory requirements, resulting in significant overall savings.”

The EM316GSW-XY also supports link fault pass-through with link integration notification (LIN) to ensure correct propagation of link faults by disabling both ends of a failed link. This allows devices dependent upon link state to accurately respond to network conditions. Additionally, the module is IEEE 802.3u compliant.

The EM316GSW-XY module is available now from MRV sales representatives worldwide.

About Fiber Driver

MRV’s Fiber Driver optical multi-service product line provides a full range services demarcation, media conversion, signal repeating and fiber-optimization solutions, including coarse and dense WDM capabilities. Both managed and unmanaged solutions are available, including rack-mount, modular systems and desktop systems. The Fiber Driver line includes several families of products with the flexibility of hundreds of combinations and system options for any type of optical or copper technology, covering virtually every protocol in use in networking today. With a power consumption of 3W - 5W per 10Gbps interface, the Fiber Driver optical multiservice platform consumes 20% - 30% less power than competing optical transport systems. In testing using the TEEER power efficiency standard, the Fiber Driver achieved a rating up to 9.84 out of 10, making it one of the highest efficiency optical networking systems on the market.

About MRV Communications, Inc.

MRV Communications, Inc. is a leading provider of packet switching, packet optical (P-OTS), physical layer and out-of-band networking equipment, services and optical components for high-speed carrier and enterprise networks and specialized aerospace, defense and other communications networks. Through its wholly owned SourcePhotonics, Inc. subsidiary, the company provides optical communications components for access and fiber-to-the-premises applications. MRV markets and sells its products worldwide, with operations in Europe that provide network system design, integration and distribution. For more information please call (978) 431-5011 or visit our websites at www.mrv.com and www.sourcephotonics.com.