DESIGNING WDM TRANSPORT LAYER FOR A NEW OPERATOR
IP SERVICES NETWORK
Klaus Samardžić1, Pavel Praček2, Julianne Lochte3
1
Smart Com d.o.o., Ljubljana,
2
T-2 d.o.o., Maribor
3
CIENA, Linthicum, MD
I INTRODUCTION
How to satisfy the communication demands of the
customer? Incumbent and new service providers have
two distinctive paths to choose from. One strategy is to
offer more communications services and features; the
other is to become involved with content. Both paths
begin from the same foundation which is basic
broadband connectivity and the possibility to manage
the services in the network. The next step is to build the
key demand - one connection for all service.
T-2 is one of the new service providers in Slovenia
utilizing the opportunity offered by the liberalized
telecomm market. One of the key differentiators
between new service providers is the implemented
communication network. After a market research it was
discovered that the only way to offer distinctive
broadband services on the Slovenian
telecommunication market was to build an advanced
transport network.
T-2 offer all the services (voice, video, data) using IP
technology. Since the convergence of services is
achieved on the IP layer and all the transport is based
on Ethernet it is possible to create a unified network
topology. Offering triple-play services on a converged
network demand high processing power, flexibility and
large bandwidth of the transport network. Since all the
forecasts for triple – play network anticipate
exponential grow, the broadband capability is one of the
key features of the network. For more efficient use of
fiber resources within the infrastructure, WDM is the
natural solution. And with no legacy equipment to take
care of, we had the opportunity to implement advanced
technologies in our transport network design and offer
T-2 new ways to reach their business objectives.
II DESIGNING THE NETWORK
Important financial resources are invested and a
substantial quantity of equipment is employed on the T-
2 project. The whole optical infrastructure for the
regional interconnections together has a length of more
than 800 km. As the implementation is planed to last a
long period of time, the project is exposed to changes
within itself as well as changes caused by various
external reasons. All the listed changes are reflecting
themselves as new demands for the T-2 network design
unfold. These changes must be managed if we expect
the implementation phase to be carried out effectively.
To stay on the right road, the knowledge of project
management was used for the designing process. It is
not the intention of this paper to present the project
plans for the T-2 telecommunication network but we
would like to stress the managing of changes in the
project part dealing with the transport network.
To accommodate the changing demands for the
transport network we had the opportunity to choose
between two approaches. As the changes are introduced
over time the simple approach is to design the whole
transport network in every detail and make the
implementation phase as short as possible. This way
when the network reaches the service offering phase
most of the assumptions on which the project is based
are still in place. However the new provider network
project differs from a project building a stationary
object like for instance a railroad bridge. The network
has to have the possibility to transform itself over the
time to adapt to new demands. For this reason we chose
the approach which allows a continuous development
over a longer period of time, and adaptation to abrupt
changes. The network design is structured in a matrix of
sub networks, the transport part of the network being
one of the sub networks. The other sub networks are
defined based on the horizontal differentiation such as
the location in the network (e.g. VDSL and FTTH
access) and vertical differentiation based on the
functionalities on the OSI (Open System
Interconnection) layers such as routing protocols or the
BRAS functionality. This way we get an interconnected
matrix of sub network objects. The frame of the
network and the interrelations between the sub
networks are worked out in detail. As the particular sub
networks internal content will definitely change in time
due to the changing demands and available technology
it is of importance to understand how the different parts
of the network relate to each other. We carefully
defined the relations and interconnections between the
implemented sub network objects offering different
functionality. This way the designed network frame is
flexible enough to accommodate the internal object
changes (implemented equipment) or external changes
(new demands of the investor). The network integration
is still possible despite changes due to the defined inter
structural relations that are set at the beginning. The art
of this approach is to structure the network design in
functional objects having a manageable number of
interconnections and using connection parameters
which are slowly changing over time to define the inter
structural relations. Such an approach is very similar to
the software programming using an object oriented
language. The sub network objects are similar to
programming objects with defined behavior and
interrelations to other program objects.
After the frame was established the search for the
appropriate equipment was a straight process. What is
important is that the demands of the planned services
guided the equipment selection process. For the
transport network we had compared equipment from
different vendors using the weighted parameters gained
from the network frame creation process.
III REALIZATION OF THE NETWORK
The transport network is built using standardized
structures. Since all our investigations showed that a
pure optical transport network is not the right solution
for the metropolitan and regional topologies we defined
a structure consisting of an optical link between two
main POP-s (Point of Present) where the signals are
processed on a backbone router or a packet switch. The
local POP-s between the main ends are connected to the
less distant main POP. Using D/CWDM (Dense/
Course Wavelength Division Multiplexing) only one
pair of fiber is necessary for the interconnections. One
of the intermediate architecture designs showing the
regional transport network of T-2 is presented in Figure
1. The implemented network changed due to the
topology of the leased optical infrastructure. Some
locations are interconnected to the main POP-s in a tree
topology. This implementation reduced the optical
cable length achieved by the WDM implementation
from a factor of 5 to a factor of 2,5. The gain is
calculated based on a statistical assumption that the
interconnected locations are equidistant and that six
locations are connected to the main POP using CWDM
signal paths. The wavelength necessary for the
backbone interconnection is not included in the
calculation. For example, the average leasing price of a
optical cable is 0,4 EUR/m for a year. Combining the
price with the infrastructure length shows that
substantially reduction of the operating costs is
achieved.
It is well known that most of the DWDM wavelengths
deployed are between 1531nm and 1551nm which is
also where the 2 of the higher spaced CWDM
wavelengths are also placed. Since the utilized optical
infrastructure is of the standard type we hade the
possibility to use the eight wavelength CWDM optical
multiplexer. Reserving the CWDM channels 1531nm
and 1551nm for backbone DWDM signals and future
DWDM local connection we could use 6 CWDM
wavelengths at each main POP side for local
connections. The price performance ratio of the
transport equipment and the synergy with terminal
equipment showed us that the most cost-effective
solution is to use 2,7 Gb/s link capacities. These optical
signals are quite easy to implement in an optical design
since the signal deteriorations caused by different types
of dispersions can be neglected for the planed
interconnection distances which were less than 60 km.
The implemented active optical elements (SFP- Small
Formfactor Pluggables) actually allow distances of 80
km or 120 km. However, when using the optical
Add/Drop multiplexers to extract signals at
intermediate locations, it adds additional loss
decreasing the allowable distance without amplification
and/or dispersion compensation. At each of the
intermediate locations we have used add-drop optical
multiplexers for one or two wavelengths.
What is the capacity we can achieve on the standardized
structure? We have 6 local CWDM optical links of 2 X
1 GbE at each main location. There are a total of 24 X 1
GbE signals between the two locations. On the
backbone DWDM connections we have 10 Gb/s. Is this
broadband enough? It is hard to answer this question.
Some experts define broadband for the
telecommunication wired access network as a value
higher than the state of the art, wireless technology is
offering. The rise of the UMTS, WLL and Wi-Fi
wireless (radio) technologies significantly increased the
broadband numbers demanded from the existing wired
access network. It is of no doubt that this race will
continue. What capacity should be offered by the
transport network? One of the correct answers is: “as
much as possible”. The number of DWDM wavelengths
in our design can be raised to up to 24 by the
implementation of additional optical DWDM,
multiplexers connected to the channels 1531nm and
1551nm of the CWDM multiplexers. This will certainly
be sufficient for future growth. What is important is the
achieved price performance rational for the initial
configuration due to the CWDM/DWDM combination
and the opportunity to upgrade the network in
accordance to the services demand of the market.
 R Murska
Gornja
Sobota
Radgona
Beltinci
Lenart
Prevalje Lendava
R
Maribor Ljutomer
Ravne Miklavž
Slovenj Gradec Hoèe
Jesenic Orehova vas
e R
R
Šoštanj Sl. Bistrica Raèe Ptuj Ormož
Lesce Mozirj Ptuj
Tržiè Zreèe Ptuj Breg
Velenje Rogoznica
Bled
Križe Re Sl. Konjice
Radovljica Rogaška
Naklo Vojnik Slatina
Cerklje Polzela
Podnart Gornji Poljèane R
Kranj R Grad Šempeter
Železniki Kamnik Štore
Šenèur Trbovlje Žalec Celje R
Tolmin Komenda Gabrsko
Vodice Trbovlj Šentjur Mavèièe
Cerkno Škofja Loka Radomlje
Mengeš e
Most Center + Trata Laško
Domžale Zagorje
na Soci Medvode Trzin Kozje
Hrastnik
Žiri Ljubljana
Brezovica
Solkan Sevnica
Nova Idrija Dragomer Litija
Gorica R Krško
Vrhnika
R R Grosuplje Trebnje R
Logatec Ivanèna
Ajdovšèina Gorica Brežice
Borovnica
Velike
Podnano Lašèe
s Cerknica Novo
Postojna Mesto
Sežana Ribnica
Pivka CWDM 2,7 Gb/s links
Metlika
Ilirska DWDM 10.7 Gb/s links
Ankaran Kocevje
Bistrica Crnomelj
Piran Koper
Izola
Portorož
Lucija

Picture1. One of the intermediate architecture of the T-2 regional optical transport network

IV IMPLEMENTED EQUIPMENT OTN supports its own separate overhead for

performance monitoring and fault signaling and at the
In order to build a cost-effective Triple Play offering, same time maintaining full service transparency. In
we decided to implement a converged packet-based addition the use of the General Communications
network, with all transport services delivered on a Channel (GCC) provides remote management of the
common infrastructure. We have chosen an advanced nodes in the network making the use of separate
transmission platform utilizing the OTU1 signals in wavelengths for the supervision channel absolute.
accordance with ITU-T G.709 digital wrapper protocol. Establishing the network nodes management
The platform is offering the opportunity to electrically interconnections as simple as possible is of high
multiplex different signal protocols on the OTU1 line importance for flexible service offering. [2] Both OSPF
signal implementing the GFP-T (Generic Framing (Open Shortest Path First) and NDP (Neighbor
Protocol). Discovery Protocol) are used within the GCC channel
[1] The OTU1 protocol provides a standardized frame- for auto discovery of the network topology and the
based encapsulation mechanism for transmitting various maintenance of the established network. Since the
client services through an optical transport network network supervision communication between the
(OTN). OTU1 has a line rate of about 2.7Gb/s and the transport nodes is based on IP technology the added
OTU2, has a line rate of about 10.7 Gb/s, which is four functionalities of NDP and OSPF routing protocol are
times faster. OTUk is a frame based service similar to integrated in a natural way.
SDH consisting of a transport overhead area for The transport platform is capable of sub-wavelength
carrying frame alignment, defect indicators, grooming of the tributary signals of different protocols
communication channel, parity check etc. and a payload such as Gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel, STM-1, STM-
area for carrying user data as well as the payload 4, STM-16 and allows the multiplication of different
overhead. Unlike SDH the OTUk frame rate is not types of services onto a single wavelength. Each service
fixed. As the line rate increases, the frame size remains is managed individually with the same operational,
constant and the frame rate increases. administration, maintenance and provisioning functions
as in the traditional SDH networks. A distributed cross-
connect functionality is supported by centralized
management of the nodes in the network creating the
flexibility for efficient end to end provisioning utilizing
both full electrical ADM and wavelength translation
techniques.
The need for Service Level Management (SLM)
become imperative, whereas the selected transport
platform utilizes these advanced technologies to deliver
this feature.
[4] Modules for opto-electrical conversion conquered
the communication optical market. The simplicity of
the standardized modules is available since both GBIC
or SFPs have become a large part of any modern optical
communication device. For the local OTU1 connections
we used SFPs, which can be simply added to the active
platform modules.
For the 10 GbE signal we have used another approach.
For the opto-electrical conversion we used XENPAK-s
inserted in the backbone switch. The signal is connected
to the passive optical multiplexer of the transport
device. This approach has helped us achieve a
significant price reduction. We have found an
independent vendor of XENPAX, offering modules to
bridge distances up to 80km. For DWDM signals the
limitation is set not only by the signal attenuation but
also by dispersion. To achieve larger distances we have
to implement not only optical amplifiers but also
dispersion compensating modules. The correct
placement of the amplifying and compensating modules
is a critical portion of a proper optical design.
The management of the network does not suffer
because the backbone switches and routers are
interconnected which allow the supervision of the
10Gb/s links over a single management solution. The
local optical interconnections have different design
requirements. The interconnected equipment is from
different vendors so we use the transport network
devices to gain a unifying view of the interconnected
equipment. Since the transport devices are based on
OUT1 technology, a supervising channel (GCCO) is
provisioned. Protection schemes similar to SDH
technology are available. Since the element designs are
simpler, the protection switch time of less than 20ms
are guaranteed.
V CONCLUSION
Since all the forecasts for triple – play network
anticipate exponential growth, the available broadband
capacity is one of the key features of the access and
transport network.
As the needs for bandwidth increase the WDM
transport network offer the versatility and flexibility to
adapt to the new bandwidth and distance requirements
quickly and efficiently. The designed architecture
allows the initial deployment to fit today’s needs of
both distance and bandwidth. We have utilized the full
capabilities of the transport platform by designing the
network to include both CWDM and DWDM
wavelengths optical multiplexing and creating electrical
cross-connected signal path structures for the Gigabit
Ethernet tributary signals [3]. Programmable interfaces
offering standard protocols offer the opportunity to
adapt to the existing network interfaces at the edge to
networks of other operators. Thanks to the implemented
distributed cross-connects on OTU1 level the paths
through the network can be programmed using end to
end network management. This brings the necessary
flexibility to the transport network.
LITERATURA
[1] R.Granger, CN 4200 FlexSelect Advanced Services
Platform, CIENA document 1Q2005.
[2] Routing and signaling in IP over Optical Transport
Networks,http://www.eurescom.de/public/projectresults
/P1100-series/P1116-D2.asp, 2003.
[3]Jose M. Caballero, Gigabit Ethernet roll-out,
Whitebrook Park, Lower Bookham Rd., 2005.
[4] Alessandro Barbieri, 10 GbE and its X Factors,
PACKET Cisco systems users magazine, 3Q2005.
Abstract:
New network operators can conquer the market by
offering new services, increasing business agility and
controlling operating costs. Building the transport
network with no legacy equipment to take care of we
had the possibility to implement advanced technologies
in the T-2 network design offering new ways to reach
the business objectives.
T-2 offer all the services (voice, video, data) using IP
technology. Since the convergence of the services was
achieved on the IP layer and all the transport is based
on Ethernet it was possible to create a unified network
topology. Offering triple-play services on a converged
network demand high processing power, flexibility and
large bandwidth of the transport network. WDM
(Wavelength Division Multiplexing) was the natural
solution for the effective use of limited optical cable
infrastructure. To achieve the demanded flexibility we
implemented equipment based on ITU-T OTN (Optical
Transport Network) digital wrapper recommendations.
The designed transport layer of the new network offer
advantage over existing multilayer transport networks
by simplifying the management and reducing the
complexity of the network.
DESIGNING WDM TRANSPORT LAYER FOR A
NEW OPERATOR IP SERVICES NETWORK,
Klaus Samardžić, Pavel Praček, Julianne Lochte.