ADM/MSPP and DCS Replacement

Most carrier core and regional/metro network infrastructures are built on multiples of a combination of ADMs/MSPPs and DCSs for ring interconnect, stacked rings and metro ring/star hubbing. This architecture results in:

• Costly deployment of multiple network elements
• Inefficient use of space and power
• Interfaces that could otherwise be used for revenue generation are used for ring interconnect
• Costly and complex management of the network

Ciena’s CoreDirector offers carriers a more cost-effective (as much as 65% savings compared to the cost of using ADMs/MSPPs and DCSs) solution for core and regional/metro optical network infrastructures. Delivering up to 640 Gb/s in a single standard telco bay, CoreDirector systems support high-capacity switching (cross-connects) for SONET/SDH circuits. The systems also support SONET/SDH add/drop multiplexing and ring and linear line protection schemes. Ring protection includes 2 and 4 fiber BLSR/MS-SPRing and 2 fiber UPSR/SNCP. With support for up to 64 x 10G, 256 x 2.5G or 512 x 155/622 Mb/s interfaces in a single standard telco bay, a single CoreDirector will address stacked ring applications which would normally require multiple ADMs/MSPPs. Also, ring interconnect is achieved within the CoreDirector switch fabric, not requiring external connections to a DCS.

Third Party Interoperability
Through relationships with various service providers and third party vendors, Ciena has successfully tested various types of SONET/SDH ring and WDM interoperability with network elements from leading tele- communications equipment vendors such as Nortel and Cisco. Ciena has established a CoreDirector Interoperability Program to support interoperability testing with third party network elements. This is an open program, with the goal of helping service providers reduce costs and improve the management and reliability of multi-vendor networks. Participation in this program can be requested by service providers and/or third party vendors.

In addition to the SONET/SDH functionality, CoreDirector also supports IPoDCC and OSIoDCC functionality, enabling the management of remote network elements subtended from a CoreDirector.

The cross-connect and add/drop capabilities, density and interoperability of CoreDirector systems allow carriers to use a single network element in core and regional central offices, resulting in:

• Reduced equipment costs and space and power requirements
• Interfaces used for revenue generation in lieu of ring interconnect
• Simplification and reduction in cost of network management