Jeffrey Robert Towne

Next-generation transport systems: 4th Generation MSPPS

Demand for Ethernet services is increasing exponentially worldwide. Improvements such as generic framing procedure (GFP) and virtual concatenation (VCAT) have been introduced, increasing the efficiency of synchronous optical network/synchronous digital hierarchy (SONET/SDH) transport for packet traffic. The growing volume of packet traffic necessitates further refinement of transport networking techniques toward a more packet-centric model that incorporates increased efficiency in handling packet traffic, and more packet-friendly optical networks; for example, multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) and generalized multiprotocol label switching (GMPLS) enabled networks. The most effective next-generation of multi-service provisioning platforms (MSPPs) must account for these realities and provide a solution for both bandwidth utilization and management capabilities while constituting a platform that can scale from last-mile access to metro core networks. These platforms should incorporate packet-based technologies including MPLS to provide a flexible and cost-effective mix of multi-service traffic engineering and encapsulation techniques, quality of service (QoS), security, and resiliency to providers competing in an increasingly packet-centric market. This paper explains how new transport systems are using novel architectures and exploiting new technologies to support emerging applications with network architectures best suited to the changing characteristics of the traffic they are required to carry.