Managing flexibility in Synchronous Digital Hierarchy networks

Traditionally, efficient remote control of network elements has been difficult to achieve in terms of cost effective technology and the limitations imposed by the plesiochronous nature of the transmission network. There have however been some notable advances within British Telecom in recent years with the advent of Flexible Access Systems (FAS) in the Access part of the Network and Automatic Cross-connect Equipment (ACE) which provides flexibility for KiloStream services over the network. The new Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) now being considered for future transmission networks provides new opportunities for realising cost effective cross-connect and multiplexer facilities and improved management capability. This, together with recent advances in computing technology, means we are able to move closer to the fully flexible managed network of the future