WS-1. Transparent Waveband/Wavelength Switching and GMPLS
Payam Torab, Lambda Optical Systems
Waveband switching is an efficient and scalable solution for switching a large number of wavelength circuits in DWDM networks. A waveband is a group of contiguous or isolated wavelengths, and waveband switching refers to a scheme where a group of transit wavelength circuits are switched as a single waveband, using a single connection in the optical domain (two optical ports), as opposed to switching each wavelength circuit individually.
Whether waveband and wavelength switching are provided by the same node (through a switch architecture referred to as a multigranular optical crossconnect or MG-OXC), or through different nodes (some nodes being a waveband switch and some nodes being a wavelength switch), the combined switching defines a multi-region network. Of particular interest is transparent waveband and wavelength switching, which introduces transparency and associated cost benefits (and control challenges) not at one, but at two switching regions.
Being the first to bring integrated optical waveband and wavelength switching with GMPLS control to the industry, in this presentation we go through the technology benefits, the applicability of GMPLS to waveband/wavelength-switched networks. In particular,
- We demonstrate the efficiency of waveband switching (typical of any multi-region network with integrated traffic engineering for all switching layers), through the results of a national-level network study.
- We show how waveband switching can be used create virtual network topologies for the wavelength layer, reducing the set up and tear down time for wavelength services over large number of hops.
- We discuss the hierarchical recovery options, and how they can make the end-to-end recovery faster when applied to waveband circuits.
- We show that waveband switching provides a natural and convenient technology to provide Layer-1 VPN (L1VPN) wavelength services. In particular, we discuss how waveband switching facilitates private address management for such services.
We also discuss some of the unique and interesting challenges the “double transparency” in waveband/wavelength-switched networks presents to a GMPLS control plane, and evaluate existing protocol mechanisms to meet these challenges. For example, transparent switching makes SONET-style performance monitoring and fault management a difficult task, particularly for soft failures such as BER degradation. We demonstrate how one can benefit from the vertical hierarchy of multi-region networks to make fault localization faster and more efficient for these networks.
We conclude the presentation with final thoughts on applicability of GMPLS to waveband/wavelength-switched networks.
WS-2. Optical Network Switching, Control, and Management Functions: Advances from the Core to the Access Network
Jim Diestel, Calient Networks
Optical Switch providers have successfully assisted Service Providers in deploying intelligent optical control plane in core networks. The challenges to deployment for the Service Providers had been migration issues associated with legacy equipment and uniformity of service. These issues were resolved in the core with the flexibility of optical switching and GMPLS control allowing:
- Dynamic allocation of fixed bandwidth connectivity between sites
- Switching of wavelength signals among different links
- Routing of connections through the optical networks
- Network resource brokering
- GbE and sub-GbE bandwidth provisioning
- Direct GbE/10GbE bandwidth provisioning over wavelength or dark fiber
- Multi-domain automated provisioning using overlay and peer models
- 1+1 protection, shared mesh protection, head-end reroute and priority protection handling
- Advanced test and monitoring of service
- Accurate fault identification, isolation and repair
Service Providers face the challenge today of delivering end-to-end IP triple-play services over a converged optical infrastructure and this is not only in the core but also in the access portion to the end user. This session challenges conventional thinking by suggesting end-to-end control with a flexible fiber plant based on optical switch technology will make the Access Network for more profitable for both GigE Business and FTTx Residential service. The session includes a discussion of how mainstream carriers are thinking about the future implementation of IP/GMPLS-enabled control, management and data functions for end-to-end IP services over optical infrastructure along with a discussion of their fiber access plans.
Service Providers have shown very high interest in the integrated control, management, protection and monitoring functions. Calient Networks has dedicated many thousands of development, testing and implementation hours to proving in the operational viability of optical control plane for carriers, particularly in Asian and US markets. The speaker proposes to show how the above functions can be delivered to the Access market and how they will positively impact network performance for carriers.
WS-3. Transformation towards the Next generation Optical/IP converged networks
Shin-ya Nakamura, NEC
Network transformation towards the next generation network had been started. In this transient period, i.e., transformation from circuit based NW to packet based NW, various technical issues have to be solved.
In this presentation, we will discuss following issues.
1) Flexible adaptation for the various services contents,
2) Migration from TDM/circuit transport to Packet transport
3) Converged network architecture (Core/Regional/Access)
4) Control Plane and Management Plane inter-work.
NEC’s latest activities on those area will be introduced. |
