Cost effective broadband architecture for metro networks

Increasing need for data and storage connectivity has significantly increased demand for more widespread broadband networking. In metro networks, optical-Ethernet is providing the first step of converged broadband network infrastructure for Layer-2 and Layer 1 services. The next step in optical broadband service architecture leads to the next level of packet-optical convergence, with more packet based functionality, like encapsulation, switching, and optimization of data services while maintaining the carrier grade, scalability and customer security attributes needed in a service provider network. Packet/Optical convergence delivers dramatic network cost savings through: functional integration, network convergence, nodal consolidation, bandwidth efficiency, operational simplicity. Network management and service management capability is being added to a packet/optical network.