GMPLS Control Plane for G.709 OTN
Overview
Operators of carrier and service provider networks are always under immense pressure
to reduce operational and capital expenditures. As if that pressure weren't enough,
they must also contend with preserving legacy technologies while addressing
the continuous shift in traffic type (most notable: the shift from circuit to
packet traffic). The ITU's Optical Transport Network (OTN) recommendation
provides a network-wide framework that truly delivers on the carrier requirements
for reduced costs, greater flexibility, and increased efficiencies.
Often, operators attempt to address the CAPEX/OPEX quest by converging
a number of functions onto a single Network Element. While a new class of
a Network Element may answer some of their prayers, it's a solution that
only addresses a microcosm of the overall network, and hence the savings are limited.
The introduction of the OTN provides a network-wide architecture that encompasses
multiple aspects of networking, such as framing, management, hierarchy, signaling,
and routing. It is this architecture that enables carriers to reduce costs
throughout the network, utilize legacy infrastructure, and address
shifts in traffic/service types.
The OTN, which is defined by the ITU-T G.709 and G.872 specifications,
creates a transparent, hierarchical network designed for use on both
Time Division Multiplexed (TDM) and Wavelength Switched Optical Network (WSON) devices.
Two switching layers are formed (TDM and WSON) and functions of transport, multiplexing,
routing, management, supervision and survivability are defined. The OTN control plane,
which is based on GMPLS, automates many of these functions, with corresponding
operational benefits relative to a statically provisioned OTN network.
Metaswitch, which has always been on the forefront of delivering portable packet
and optical control plane solutions to system vendors, supports GMPLS signaling
and routing for G.709 and OTN per the ITU and IETF standards.
Solutions and Benefits
- Delivers industry-standard routing and signaling of OTN TDM and WSON Layers
as per the ITU G.709/G.872 and IETF RFC 4328, 4202, 4203, and 4205 specifications
- Interoperable with 3rd party PCE solutions
- Fully integrated control plane
solution for ease of deployment
- Delivers carrier grade scale and high availability via Metaswitch's well proven
N-BASE and
High Availability Framework
Solution Elements
The Metaswitch solution for equipment manufacturers of OTN devices is based on
the following elements:
- DC-RSVP extensions for control of G.709 OTNs
- DC-OSPF and/or
DC-ISIS extensions for control of
G.709 OTNs
- N-BASE, Metaswitch's portable operating environment
for its network software products
- High Availability Framework
(HAF), Metaswitch's architecture for delivering fault tolerance and reduced downtime
across its range of network software products
- Metaswitch engineering services which include
professional services, training, and support directly from our Metaswitch
engineering organization