PDF of this tutorialDefinition
Optical networks are high-capacity
telecommunications networks based on optical technologies and components
that provide routing, grooming, and restoration at the wavelength level as
well as wavelength-based services.
Overview
As networks face increasing bandwidth demand and
diminishing fiber availability, network providers are moving towards a
crucial milestone in network evolution: the optical network. Optical
networks, based on the emergence of the optical layer in transport
networks, provide higher capacity and reduced costs for new applications
such as the Internet, video and multimedia interaction, and advanced
digital services.
As with any new technology, many questions arise. How is the optical network different from existing networks? What are the network elements required for optical networks? What applications do optical networks best suit? This tutorial will address all of these questions and explain the technologies, architectures, and market trends for emerging optical networks.
