Alcatel takes part in optical network testing

Alcatel, a world leader in intelligent optical networking, announced its participation in the interoperability test conducted in an independent laboratory by the Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF), and in front of 25 other equipment vendors.

The testing session successfully demonstrated the interoperability through a paramount signaling GMPLS-based protocol which enables carriers and IP/data service providers to establish and tear down optical connections on demand in a simple, fast and cost-effective way.

UNI — the User Network Interface — defines an interface to an optical network that permits a service provider, purchasing bandwidth from a carrier, to directly set up light-paths across the carrier’s network according to the traffic generated on the service provider’s SDH/Sonet, ATM and IP equipment.

Carriers can dynamically allocate bandwidth where and when needed, scaling their network capacity on demand and offering a broad range of new, differentiated open-standard services.

UNI also allows for managing requests for true carrier grade quality of service (QoS), while enabling end-users to get the services they want, at competitive prices.

For the trial, Alcatel provided a complete suite of products for intelligent optical networking — Lambda Gate optical cross-connect, Routing Switch Platform (RSP) and Routing Core Platform (RCP) systems as well as a global and integrated Network Management platform, including the latest Bandwidth-on-Demand (BonD) manager.