The effect of evolution on synchronous equipment interfaces

The new synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) offers telecom operators the opportunity to build a managed flexible transport network. Such a network would offer bandwidth flexibility and capability of handling any type of service. However, the period of transition from today´s network to a synchronous network based on SDH principles is critical to the successful deployment of SDH equipment. Improper specifications of interfaces or definition of functions could lead to a perpetuation of existing interface requirement even in an all synchronous network where some of the existing interfaces capabilities may be inappropriate. The paper examines today´s network and the impact of evolution to the SDH network on equipment interface requirements and specifications