5ESS Switch Very Compact Digital Exchange (VCDX)

The smallest configuration of the 5ESS (5E) family, the 5ESS Very Compact Digital Exchange (VCDX) switch is a compact, packet-ready switch that delivers a full range of services from a single platform, using the same hardware and software as our full-size switch. As part of our 5ESS Switch portfolio, the VCDX is the industry's most reliable switching platform and combines the speed and flexibility of a modern workstation with the high capacity of a world-class switching system.

The VCDX can easily evolve into a full-size switch or become an element in a packet network within our Circuit-to-Packet Networks architecture, a convergent architecture that provides both cost-saving packet functionality and high-quality voice functionality. It is the ideal product for bridging the transition of circuit networks to Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) / Internet Protocol (IP) networks. The smaller VCDX enables a minimal circuit switch investment to efficiently evolve into a data network that provides a mix of circuit and data switching to meet your customer's demands.

Whether you're a voice, Internet, or applications service provider, the VCDX gets you operational quickly and economically.

The VCDX provides the same dependable features of a full 5ESS switch in a much smaller footprint, allowing your customers to offer the same broad array of services that a larger switch could offer. Ideal for residential, rural, and suburban markets, the VCDX is also fully scalable to a full 5ESS switch, letting your customers preserve their investment when their capacity demands increase.

The VCDX switch offers:

a modular design for incremental implementation
a compact size that's ideal for smaller applications
remote capabilities to support digital loop carriers
a reliable and flexible platform - the 5ESS switch - for multiple applications
a wide variety of voice, data, and wireless services
a scalable architecture that converts into a full 5ESS switch
toll/tandem capabilities

Modular Design

The VCDX allows your customers to dedicate space incrementally for specific services as they need it. The VCDX can easily evolve into a full-size switch, or it can become an element in a packet network within our Circuit-to-Packet architecture.

Minimum Footprint

Compact size
Housed in three cabinets that are 6 feet high, 29.9 inches wide, and 23.6 inches deep
Ideal for locations with small-line-size applications

Reliable Platform

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) consistently rates the 5ESS family among the industry's most reliable platforms, with the least amount of downtime of any switch in its class.

Remote Capability

Supports TR08 and TR303 digital loop carriers such as the SLC-2000. (NAR)
Supports V5.2 digital loop carriers such as SLC-2000. (International)

Service Capabilities

The VCDX supports a wide variety of voice, data, and wireless services in a compact, digital switch:

Local and toll
Intelligent Network
Operator Services (INTL)
Centrex Service (Call Waiting, Call Hold, etc.)
Advanced Wireless Services either alone or with landline service, a low-cost application that ensures smooth call handoffs between regions and improves billing for cellular customers
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) voice mail and national services
Network Management
International Telecommunications Union (ITU) #7 signalling (INTL)
SS7
Stand-alone Signaling Transfer Point (STP), reducing network traffic by routing calls correctly the first time (INTL)
Various wideband applications
CDMA and TDMA
GSM (INTL)
V5 interface (V5.1 and V5.2) (INTL)
Carrier Identification Code (CIC) expansion
Interchangeable Numbering Plan Area (INPA).

Line and Trunk Capacity

The VCDX can support:

20,875 lines
25 Primary Rate Interfaces (PRIs)
4,080 Trunks.

Toll / Tandem Capacity

The VCDX can support 16,000 Trunk DSOs, any combination of T1s (max 2,880), and STS1s.

Key Characteristics

The VCDX has:

A powerful UNIX-based workstation featuring mirrored disk functionality for improved reliability
Digital Audio Tape (DAT) drive for routine backups and software updates to prevent loss of records
Switching Module 2000 (SM-2000), Lucent's most powerful module, handles all switching, call, and trunk processing independently from the workstation and maintains billing data to ensure that no records are lost, providing customers with uninterrupted service:
- Emulator - 3B21
- Solaris - 2.6
- SM-2000 Memory - 160 MB
- SM Memory (Signaling Configuration) - 64 MB
- Maximum ODD sizes
- SM - 128 MB
- Optional additional serial ports
- Office Backups - single tape
- OS Interfaces