Broadband Forum offers ONU documents to ease virtualization of fiber access networks
The Broadband Forum has released TR-451 “vOMCI Specification” and MR-451 “ONU Management using Virtualized OMCI.” Together, the documents will make virtualization and use of software-defined access networks simpler to deploy for operators, the organization asserts.
The management cycle of a typical ONU traditionally has been tied to a specific vendor’s optical line terminal (OLT), the Broadband Forum points out. The specification described in the documents will enable network operators to de-couple the optical network unit (ONU) and OLT from control and management purposes. Virtualized ONU Management (vOMCI) enables the centralization of operations without relying on each OLT to act as a management entity, according to the group.
Acceptance and use of TR-451 potentially will increase the number of third-party ONU vendors, the Broadband Forum asserts. Use of the specification also will make interoperability testing and on-boarding of ONUs easier. The specification supports multiple deployment models in which virtualized functions can be deployed to the cloud or within existing management systems.
“The latest specification can be used in the evolution of the management of ONUs, not as a replacement for the management processes and data models already in use by operators but to future-proof their infrastructure while maintaining their investment in existing ONU devices,” said Bruno Cornaglia, co-director of the SDN/NFV Work Area at Broadband Forum. “Ultimately, ONU management will be more adaptive to changes in operators’ processes and services, as well as less costly to maintain.”
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
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