LION: Layers Interworking in Optical Networks

Description
LION aims at giving answers to Network Operators (N.O.) about interoperability of client transport networks (e.g. ATM, SDH, IP-based) over an optical server one recommended as Optical Transport Network (OTN). In particular, the major target is to design and test over a testbed a multi-layer resilient network in a multi-domain environment. First the N.O. requirements will be defined for envisaged multi-layer network scenarios. Cost-effective integrated resilience strategies will be investigated supported by planning evaluations. The ITU-T functional modelling will be adopted to define first the OA&M and management requirements and then specifications for interfaces between network clients and OTN and between OTN domains. An "umbrella" management architecture that enables integration of TMN, WBEM, and SNMP will be designed to allow N.O. to manage the network as a whole. The above requirements and specifications will be translated into systems and sub-systems implementation to test in a testbed.
The goal is to design and test a resilient and managed transport network realised by an OTN carrying different clients (e.g. SDH, ATM, IP-based) with interworking and interconnection between layer transport networks and domains. The identified requirements will be validated in a testbed where IP-routers and SDH equipment will be integrated over an OTN infrastructure. The following objectives will be met: define the interworking and interconnection requirements between client-server layer networks and domains; define the functional requirements of an IP-based transport network; enhance the functional architecture of an OTN to account for new emerging features (e.g. digital optical container); implement, integrate and test Network Node Interfaces (NNI) between transparent domains and Client Node Interfaces (CNI), both based on digital optical container; implement, integrate and test an "umbrella" management system over a testbed; to develop and test strategies for integrated resilience controlled by an overall OA&M and a management system adopting QoS demanding applications; make techno-economic evaluations of an IP-based network over an OTN.
The following milestones/results are foreseen: integrated multi-layer network requirements and scenarios; functional description of an integrated OTN carrying multi-clients; functional requirements and implementation of CNI and NNI based on digital optical container; design of an "umbrella" management architecture implemented with CORBA and WBEM; OA&M concepts in an integrated multi-layer network; resilience interworking strategies in multi-layer networks; multi-layer resilient network planning and evaluation; testbed validation experiments.

Duration
48

More Info
Project Website: http://www.telecom.ntua.gr/lion/