The timing for this First Packet-Optical Transport event, co-hosted by the Broadband Forum, could not be better, and it will be the ideal occasion to debate the future architecture of Packet-Optical networks for the coming decade.
Over the next 6 months, key MPLS-TP architectural and protocol standards are targeted for completion by IETF and ITU-T, after many years of challenging technical and commercial debate. Wide industry assent means that MPLS-TP is now the target packet aggregation and management protocol for NGN, while Ethernet alternatives are fading away somewhat through lack of support. However, at the time of writing, much remains in flux. How will the different requirements and proposals for OAM be finally resolved? Will the industry converge on a single solution, or will it take a more flexible path? What will this mean for interoperability and network design?
The next decade will be a time of great change and upheaval for service providers. SDH networking is nearing its end of life and the new optical and packet networking paradigms with which it is being replaced are very different and challenging.
This event is a timely opportunity to get up to speed with packet optical networking ideas and their practical implementation in key application areas – Video (Content Delivery Networks/IPTV/MobileTV), Cloud Computing, Data Centre Virtualisation, Ethernet services for business users and Mobile Backhaul.
In parallel, existing OTN standards have been extended with ODU0 and ODUflex, providing more flexibility, granularity and dynamism in order to strengthen its packet-handling capability. Wide industry support means that OTN is now the multiplexing and management structure for high-capacity NGN infrastructure, as SDH continues its journey into retirement.
There are dissenters and pure play IP/(optical/WDM) or Ethernet/(optical/WDM) have their supporters and will no doubt play a role in future networks.
The stage is set for new evolution, new strategies, new optimisation potential and new convergence options. As a stakeholder in the future packet optical transport networking world, you will find this collection of influential people, focused debate and structured networking of significant value.
Operators are looking for answers to the following questions:
• What are the strategic issues facing service providers and how can P-OTN help?
• How and why has P-OTN developed as a technology – what are the drivers and origins of P-OTN?
• How are service providers planning to use P-OTN – what services are driving P-OTN and what are the network evolution options?
• What are the key developments in standards from the operator’s point of view, and where are the gaps?
• What role will Ethernet play?
• How will the new MPLS-TP-OTN convergence be applied in mobile networks?
• What are the key issues in evolving from today's heterogeneous mixed-technology networks?
• How can P-OTN help in designing infrastructure to support new business applications and architectures – data centre connectivity, data centre virtualisation, Cloud Computing, video?
This best of breed conference provides a uniquely focused forum to examine this new vision, uncluttered by history and bringing the best of packet and the best of optical together, to formulate a wider understanding of the future Packet-Optical Transport Network.
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Packet-Optical Transport Networking
