Aug 9 2010
The Members of OIF (Optical Internetworking Forum), a group of representatives from optical and data networking fields, have initiated two projects at the third quarter meeting. The first project offers a new specification for the uITLA (micro-integrable tunable laser assembly).
This new form factor is essential for tunable lasers because the industry is moving towards an XFP form factor with less dissipation of power. The second project deals with the OSS Control Plane Management.
The uITLA project will advise changes to the optical specifications, mechanical specifications, and assembly electrical interfaces. The implementation agreement of uITLA will offer an alternative laser product for ITLA customers who consider integrating the host PCB with a vendor gold box laser because of space constraints.
A framework or white paper document addressing the challenges of the OSS Control Plane in relation with the Optical Transport Evolution will be the result of the OSS Control Plane Management project. As the networks are moving to Packet from TDM, and to MPLS-based Transport, the challenges are more for OSS integration. The OSS project will deal with these challenges in operating the TDM control plane such as multilayer TDM CP.
Ovum’s Practice Leader for the Network Infrastructure, Dana Cooperson, spoke at the meeting, citing OIF would continue playing a crucial role in enhancing market and network efficiency.