Managing Packet optical Integration

Abstract:
Packet optical integration describes a trend in the industry to integrate WDM interfaces with packet network elements. More than the physical integration itself, this approach requires an integrated management and control solution. While optical transport networks are historically controlled by single vendor centralized management systems (NMS), data networks rely on a distributed multi-vendor control plane to control the network. In addition to the divergent control approaches, the inter-layer dependencies between optical transport systems and routers need to be taken into account. Looking at existing network management systems, proven management approaches are identified that can be applied to the carrier space. To get there, the definition of open, interoperable standards for data, control and management of packet-optical networks is instrumental. The most promising approach is to work in standards bodies, to enable a standardized multi-vendor ecosystem.