OIF launches Requirements for Integrated Packet Optical SDN project

The OIF has announced the launch of the “Requirements for Integrated Packet Optical SDN” project. As its title implies, the effort will seek to outline requirements for a multi-layer software-defined networking (SDN) reference architecture as a use case for packet optical transport networks.

The OIF notes that as operators look to move a wide variety of functions under SDN control, they require the ability to integrate the packet and optical network layers. This requirement leads to a need for an interoperable framework that can be used throughout the service provider community for data center interconnect (DCI) and other WAN applications. The new OIF project aims to help create such a framework through generation of functional requirements, a reference architecture, and use cases for packet/optical networks that will help enable open, agile infrastructures that are also simpler to operate and better use network resources.

“Most of the existing SDN standards work, including OIF’s recent SDN Transport Application Programming Interface (T-API) multi-vendor interoperability demo, addresses the technical details,” said Junjie Li of China Telecom and OIF Network Operator Working Group Chair. “However, it is critical to also work across layers and build a standardized universal open framework at the solution level that will normalize architecture, interfaces and behaviors to advance the industry as a whole.”

[Shameless plug alert!] The OIF will collaborate with Lightwave to present a webinar that will detail the results of the T-API multi-vendor interoperability demonstration Li mentioned on November 30. Details are available elsewhere on the Lightwave site.

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