Transmode enhances manageability of flexible optical networks

CommunicAsia, Singapore and Stockholm, Sweden, 16th June 2009; Further enhancing network flexibility, Transmode, a leading provider of optical networking solutions, today announced the availability of a range of network management tools for flexible optical networks.

Today’s metro and regional optical networks are increasingly incorporating complex technologies previously deployed in more expensive long haul optical solutions, such as Reconfigurable Optical Add Drop Multiplexers (ROADMs). These new advances bring great benefits, such as additional flexibility through dynamic bandwidth provisioning but at the lower cost points associated with metro and regional optical systems.

Additional flexibility comes with additional challenges in terms of managing the optical network. Transmode has addressed these challenges through the introduction of new modules for the Transmode Network Manager (TNM) management system, namely Transmission Control and Channel Control. These new modules simplify network operations, which reduces the cost and complexity of ongoing network operations and improve the performance of the optical network.

The new modules form part of Release 13 of the TNM, which is available in June 2009. TNM Release 13 coincides with Release 13 of the TM-Series, Release 22 of the TS-Series and Release 5 of the TG-Series and provides unified network management of the complete Transmode portfolio. The TNM provides users with a cost effective client-server based platform and is scalable from simple networks up to complex regional and national networks.

Transmission Control provides network operators with a suite of tools to measure and manage the optical parameters of individual optical channels (wavelengths) or complete amplifier chains within the network. The software uses previously released hardware, such as the Optical Channel Monitor to measure the full optical spectrum at any point in the network. The Transmission Control module then enables operators to monitor and manage optical performance as capacity is added or switched within the network. This is achieved through the semi-automated adjustment of Variable Optical Attenuators (VOA) and optical amplifier power settings. Transmission Control ensures the best optical performance for the network, enabling greater distances to be supported. It also simplifies network commissioning which reduces the time, complexity and cost involved in network deployment.

Channel Control provides network operators with a planning tool that provides routing as well as used and available capacity information for wavelength and sub-wavelength channels within the network. As networks grow and become increasingly complex then this tool becomes increasingly important for effective optical network planning. It becomes especially useful in ROADM equipped dynamic networks as it can be difficult to track available capacity via other means in real time. Channel Control moves focus from the collection and understanding of network configuration to value added network planning activities. This results in the increased effectiveness of the planning department.

“Optical Network flexibility is becoming increasingly important as bandwidth within metro networks increases due to the ongoing rollout of higher bandwidth fixed and mobile services,” said Sten Nordell, Transmode’s CTO. “The creation of a dynamic network with all the necessary management tools is a significant step and allows Transmode to fully address the rapidly growing ROADM segment within the metro WDM market.”

Definitions:
ROADM - Reconfigurable Optical Add Drop Multiplexer, a device that allows dynamic per wavelength optical switching within a node.

About Transmode
Transmode is a leading provider of optical networking solutions for transport of data, voice and video traffic, based on CWDM and DWDM technology (Coarse/Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing).

Transmode’s unique Intelligent WDM (iWDM(TM)) approach has lead to widespread deployment of over 10000 systems in a customer base consisting of more than 250 fixed and mobile network operators, service providers, large enterprises and public institutions across Europe, the Americas and Asia.

Transmode’s comprehensive product portfolio and strong global organization enable our customers to grow the capacity and to improve service level of their regional, metro and metro access networks, on a cost-efficient basis without compromising on functionality.

For additional information about Transmode, please visit www.transmode.com