The value of system level integration

Summary form only given. Multi-Layer Switch (MLS) architectures leverage recent advances in optical transport reach, all optical switching, conventional electrical switching, and control plane standards to significantly reduce both capital and operational expenditures for next generation network designs. Although each is valuable as a stand-alone technology, combined they provide a number of additional benefits that can only be achieved when fully integrated. Most notable are elimination of back-to-back intra-office interfaces and back-to-back transponders at signal by-pass nodes while still providing the ability to groom and aggregate subwavelength traffic when necessary. Along with the reduced equipment count comes savings in floor space, power, sparing, network management, fibre congestion, and operational costs. There is also an inherent stability and improved network utilization obtained by having the same control plane agent responsible for all three layers that is not possible with discrete machines even if they are from the same vendor. Consequently, all four emerging technologies must be employed together to fully realize the promise of true optical networking and leverage the value each brings.