Networks are becoming more difficult to plan and optimize because of high traffic growth, volatile traffic patterns, changes in network architecture and more stringent service level agreements. Because the IP and optical control planes are not integrated, service providers’ networks are always over-engineered and underutilized with 50–75 percent of the network capacity deployed for network resiliency, not for passing traffic. A more economically efficient and effective network resiliency solution is needed.

 

Cisco has addressed this problem with nLight: a multilayer routing and optimization architecture that focuses on IP and DWDM integration, increasing network agility and flexibility while improving network utilization. ACG Research compared the nLight approach to protection and restoration to the widely used 1+1 optical protection scheme. 

 

For more on the topic, listen to Eve Griliches and Ron Johnson, Cisco, discuss packet optical convergence and Cisco nLight technology.