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Abstract
Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) are defined as networks
spanning distances up to several hundred kilometers,
typically serving large, concentrated metropolitan areas.
Current metroarea network topologies are largely ring-based.
SONET/SDH is the technology used in the metro area,
using point-to-point or add-drop multiplexer (ADM) ring
topologies. Connections are either permanent or semi-permanent
with access rates ranging from OC-3 to OC-48.
Metro networks present many engineering challenges,
especially as there is a large base of legacy SONET/SDH
(Synchronous Optical Network/Synchronous Digital Hierarchy)
infrastructure prevalent in current metro-area networks.
These traditional TDM (time-division multiplexing) networks
were originally designed to transport a limited set
of traffic types, mainly multiplexed voice and private
line services (such as DS-1 and DS-3). Today’s
metro market is under pressure to handle the rapidly
growing capacity demands and increasingly varying traffic
patterns. The increase in long-haul DWDM capacity coupled
with the rise of (access) IP bandwidth demand has placed
a focus on the metro network to provide additional capacity.
This white paper tries to envision a metro network
where technologies such as Multi Protocol Label Switching
(MPLS), Resilient Packet Ring, (RPR) and Automatically
Switched Optical Network (ASON) would work together
and remove bottlenecks and streamline network efficiency.
The paper begins with a brief description of a typical
current metro network, the technologies used and typical
metro provider requirements. A brief description of
the newer technologies that are being considered follows
along with their individual advantages; a unified network
where all these technologies co-exist & work in
unison and the inherent advantages and disadvantages
of such a network.
Authors
Gayathri Manoj, Kandasamy Varadharaj, Shri Krishan,
RamNarayan S
To know more about Wipro in telecommunication and internetworking,
go to www.wipro.com/telecom
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