ADVA Optical Networking, a provider of intelligent telecommunications infrastructure solutions, has introduced a new User Network Interface (UNI) for its Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) control plane - RAYcontrol.
With the new, improved control plane functionality, users can unite packet optical networks with optical transport technology, in a simplified manner. The optical transport domain can now be confined in a virtual topology by the RAYcontrol and the resources are exposed in a packet domain. In addition, client equipment including IP/MPLS routers is being leveraged to undergo efficient interoperability with the transport layer with increased service velocity and simplified efficacy, besides facilitating packet- optical integration.
Standardized interface communication facilitates the exchange of routing data between domains and network layers. The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) formulated and standardized the GMPLS UNI. This maintains the communication for on-demand construction and deletion of connections. When a service traversing the optical network-based virtual topology is being activated by the packet domain, the optical network components recognize that service is being adapted to comply with demand. The optical transport layer and the IP/MPLS routers interoperate and function in automated unison.
According to the CTO of ADVA Optical Networking, Christoph Glingener, the GMPLS control plane was kept unrevealed and with this inclusion, the RAYcontrol complements its efficiency in facilitating perfect integration between optical domains and packet networks. The current demands and requirements of customers have been analyzed by the industry’s R&D team. Following the analysis, developments and upgrades are carried out to promote increased automation and enhanced efficiency.