A comprehensive guide to understanding and configuring multiservice DWDM, SONET, and SDH architectures

Optical Network Design and Implementation provides in-depth coverage of the following:

• DS1/DS3/E1/E3 over SONET/SDH
• IEEE 802.17 Resilient Packet Ring (RPR)
• Fast/Gigabit Ethernet over SONET/SDH
• VRF virtual private networks
• Double-tagged 802.1Q VPNs
• SAN transport, FICON, and Fibre Channel over SONET/SDH
• DWDM infrastructures
• Analysis of DWDM, SONET, and SDH architectures

Multiservice optical networking has multiple applications in service provider and enterprise environments. To help you make the most of these applications, Optical Network Design and Implementation provides a complete reference of technology solutions for next-generation optical networks. The book explains the differences among various MAN technologies, getting you up to speed on the solutions you need to use.

Optical Network Design and Implementation contains a broad range of technical details on multiservice optical networking and covers optical networking theory, design, and configuration by providing informative text, illustrations, and examples. It can be used as a reference for anyone designing, implementing, or supporting an optical network. Even if you're not using Cisco ONS equipment, this book can increase your awareness and understanding of optical technologies and provide you with detailed design concepts and rules for building highly scalable multiservice optical networks.

This book covers the entire spectrum of optical networking technologies from the physical layer to the network layer. If you are a network architect, network manager, or a consultant who designs, deploys, operates, or troubleshoots multiservice optical and DWDM networks, Optical Network Design and Implementation is your comprehensive guide to optical networking.

"This represents the first book that offers a comprehensive and technical guide to unique IP+Optical innovations with Cisco COMET."
-Jayshree V. Ullal, Senior Vice President, Optical Networking Group
Cisco Systems, Inc.

This book is part of the Networking Technology Series from Cisco Press, which offers networking professionals valuable information for constructing efficient networks, understanding new technologies, and building successful careers.

The second chapter delves immediately into the details of Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) and analog signal processing. T-carrier and E-carrier hierarchies and their signaling and framing formats are examined, followed-up by a review of the ISDN BRI/PRI standard and ISDN frame formats.

The next section of the book looks at the physical characteristics of fiber optics including the materials used, physical construction of the cable, and behavioral and performance characteristics of different optical materials under differing conditions. For those interested in calculating their own measurements, refraction, power measurement, and span loss formulas are presented along with a few case studies as examples. Splicing techniques and optical connectors are also covered here. Wavelength-Division Multiplexing (WDM) (both coarse and dense) and various dispersion compensation techniques finish up this section.

Chapters 5 and 6 cover SONET and SDH architectures respectively. This is a fairly thorough examination of the two standards and includes a detailed look at the electrical and optical signals, SONET/SDH technology layers, framing, transmission overhead, multiplexing, error reporting, topologies and topology protection strategies, to name just a few! Packet ring technologies such as gigabyte Ethernet and Multi-service Provisioning Platform (MSPP) are also presented in this section for those applications where end-to-end Ethernet framing is desirable.

The Cisco product lines for SONET and SDH platforms are presented next, with a fairly in-depth look at the Cisco ONS 15454 which is positioned as Cisco's most versatile and widely used multi-service add/drop multiplexer (ADM). Configuration options for control, alarm, electrical, optical, and Ethernet modules are examined along with an introduction to Cisco's Transport Controller (CTC), a graphical application for provisioning and managing optical networks.

Chapters 9-11 provide detailed, over 300 pages worth, of explanations and examples for configuring the ONS 15454 for SONET MSSP, SDH MSPP, and Ethernet over SONET & SDH. Step by step directions for different configurations utilizing CTC, and accompanying screen shots, make for an easily understandable provisioning and configuration process.

Overall, this book serves as a welcome addition to any technical bookshelf. Whether a seasoned technical expert looking for a good reference book, or a beginner looking to learn about optical networking technologies, this book is well written for both audiences. This book earns a place as one of my personal favorites. For those looking to test their knowledge on the material covered in this book, chapter 12 provides a selection of insightful and challenging case studies.


Best optical book out there for SDH and SONET. Period!   June 21, 2004
Adam Fowler (London, UK)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I had been struggling to find an Optical book that covered SDH in detail from a Cisco ONS perspective. Most books out there only focus on SONET. It is almost like SDH does not exist. This book covers both, SONET and SDH (in a detail you cannot imagine). It covers everything from TDM to Metro Ethernet, RPR and MPLS over SDH. Finally a solid SDH book! Thank you Mr. Alwayn and Cisco Press.

Adam Fowler
Senior Network Engineer
British Telecom


Optical Network Bible   November 8, 2004
Paul Miller (Portland, OR)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Where do I start with such a superb book? I recently read the book titled "Optical Network Design and Implementation" by Vivek Alwayn. ISBN: 1587051052. I had looked at several sources for a good book on optical networks. After searching technical bookstores and on-line searches, I became discouraged. I usually have high expectations when it comes to books. Then I finally found this one, which blew my expectations out of the water. This book is a great resource of information regarding optical networking.

This book goes into significant detail about the different technologies that make up optical networking. The book covers everything from the refraction of light to different multiplexing methods.

I would recommend this book to any Network Engineer that is interested in optical networks. The content relates mostly to work in the services provider space, but for people like me that can't stand not knowing, this is it.

There is literally at least one figure per page if not more. The author and contributors have done a superb job of making sure the appropriate illustrations; tables and figures are in the detail of the book. These figures assist a great deal when attempting to accurately comprehend a certain topic or technology.

The first half of the book is strictly standards technology. The author wastes no time at all diving into technology. This book is strictly for the engineer. Lightweights need not apply.

The second half of the book provides detailed information on Cisco's arsenal of equipment that provide Multiservice SONET and SDH functions. The author includes screen shots of the configuration examples along the way. Having screen shots included in the text has definite advantages, especially when it comes to teaching the reader what to look for and turning text into actual application. Often times saving the reader time when it comes to implementing. The disadvantage to including the screen shots is that it's very possible as the product matures, that the screen may change slightly or perhaps significantly. This might confuse a reader in the future.

There is an outstanding section that lists the cards and components for the Cisco ONS 15454. Another nice addition is the inclusion of information regarding the Cisco Transport Controller (CTC) and the Cisco Transport Manager (CTM). There are several screen shots along with great information about these applications.

The remaining chapters cover just about every detail that's needed to configure the ONS 15454. This device seems to have everything you need to scale the Metro Area Network. The authors also includes in a few foundational chapters, a kind of, where we came from and where we are going in the Metro Area space. This section is a very nice read for someone who doesn't live and breathe MAN technologies.

The company I work for is getting ready to start the process of searching for alternate solutions and ways to scale the Metro Area Network for our companies use. This book has provided me with a great perspective as to what is available today and the pro's and con's of several optical technologies.
Thanks again Cisco Press for publishing a vital resource.



Optical Network Design and Implementation   March 21, 2005
Daniel E. Bischoff (Colorado Springs, CO)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I am a Lead Engineer for a major government contractor. Currently we are installing and providing O&M support for a Cisco ONS-15454 optical network. In order to enhance my competence for this project, I procured this book. It been a godsend for providing technical information for this project. Also, it provides >80% of the study reference material for the Cisco Optical Certification, which I plan to take in a few months.


Excellent book for optical network design   October 16, 2005
M. Niosi (Uruguay)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I work every day with fiber optic networks and didnt know anything about Cisco programming but didnt had trouble for reading this book. It is excellent for whatever you need to know or do with optical networks. Very practical and down to earth approach.