Evolving the Optical Transport Network Management to Integrate Multiple Technologies and Services

Abstract

Optical networks are evolving at a fast pace from traditional synchronous digital hierarchy/synchronous optical network (SDH/SONET) and wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) infrastructures, used by client network layers in overlay mode, to a converged multi-service and multi-technology network able to transport traditional time division multiplexing (TDM) traffic and new packet traffic in a flexible way. Alcatel-Lucent is leading the network transformation required by network providers to offer data transport while guaranteeing the same quality and reliability typical of classical transport services. The introduction of new data communication services requires an evolution of the network management platform that needs to integrate new management applications associated with the new technologies and services. The resulting network has to be integrated from service provisioning and management system viewpoints to optimize its use and to reduce the in-field modifications of the transport network. This article describes specificities in the management of multi-service networks, identifying the management architecture able to support the rapid evolution of such environment.