TMCnews Featured Article

The Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF (News - Alert)) has announced the completion of an implementation agreement for OTN switching.

OIF’s members approved an implementation agreement (IA) for OTN-over-Packet-Fabric Protocol and, according to a release, this initiative addresses the market need for packet and optical convergence.

In addition, it will also solve the architectural challenges associated with transporting Packet and OTN traffic on a common packet/cell switching fabric.

Launched in 1998, the OIF is the first industry group to unite representatives from data and optical networking disciplines. The OTN-over-Packet-Fabric Protocol implementation agreement is available to the public here.

The IA, notes OIF, defines the mapping protocol for converting an OTN stream into packets while preserving its frequency and phase. It is applicable to switches and routers, and to transport equipment alike.

The IA aims to reduce the cost and power of network equipment by avoiding the need for dual or hybrid fabrics.

“The IA will enable faster convergence of Packet and OTN traffic which the industry needs,” said Eve Griliches (News - Alert), ACG Research analyst. “A common method of mapping and translating OTN into a packet fabric will help drive the cost of network equipment down for multiple switching options, and lay the groundwork for the growing converged IP+OTN networks.”

Read a related article at TMCnet: “The Optical Internetworking Forum Members Seek to Address Growing Pains for 100G and Beyond.”

Earlier this year, the Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) members initiated a Next Generation Interconnect Framework project. This initiative was made to explore various applications spaces for high speed optical and/or electrical interconnect.

The Next Generation Interconnect Framework project identifies the necessary elements for follow on implementation agreements (IA).