TECHNICAL
Routed Optical Networking Understanding the value of modern end-to-end IP/MPLS transport networks
by Emerson Moura, Distinguished Architect
“Thanks to game-changing innovations that span across silicon, optics, and systems, complex layers can finally converge into a simpler and more scalable architecture.” STAFFAN GÖJERYD, CEO, ARELION
(TCO)1 and independent network operator modeling has demonstrated over 70% TCO savings, with over 80% savings in space and power. In this context, IP and optical integration is a fundamental part of routed optical networking. Leveraging the latest industry innovations in optics, routed optical networking replaces costly transponders, which are otherwise needed to connect the IP/MPLS layer to the dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) network, with digital coherent optics (DCO) pluggable transceivers. These are available today at speeds of up to 400 Gbps using QSFP-DD transceivers that can be deployed directly in standard 400GE ports in the routers, and potentially even faster in the future (e.g., 800Gbps). The use of these pluggable DCO transceivers to replace DWDM transponders is fundamental to routed
Introduction Routed optical networking embraces mass simplification of the end-to-end network infrastructure to achieve cost savings, operational agility, and improved network efficiency. Simplification is accomplished by de-layering the network switching stack, removing redundancy in both software and hardware components, fully converging transport, L2 and L3 virtual private networks (VPNs) plus internet services at the internet protocol/ multiprotocol label switching (IP/MPLS) layer, and integrating technologies at the routing layer whenever possible. The goal is to do more with less—more services, richer service-level agreements (SLAs), and higher service availability with fewer traffic switching layers, fewer software upgrades and fewer network protocols to run. As a result, routed optical networking has been demonstrated to provide up to 46% savings in total cost of ownership
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Volume 46 No.1 March 2024
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