Traditionally, network operators choose a single vendor to supply all elements of their network, including transponders, terminals, and line systems. Then along came disaggregation, which changed the game by allowing operators to source elements from multiple vendors.
Network disaggregation transformed the supply chain
Disaggregation transformed the supply chain, because an operator can now source an Open Line System (OLS) from one vendor and integrate other vendors, transponders, and terminals over time. I’m Nupur Jain, Product Line Manager for SDN Planning & Control at Fujitsu’s Network Business. Let’s share an open dialogue about the design challenges of network disaggregation, and discover how modern design tools provide a solution that fully realizes the potential of open line systems.
Traditional network planning & design tools don’t leverage disaggregation
Disaggregation undoubtedly benefits operators by breaking “vendor lock-in,” freeing them from the restrictions and cost of proprietary, monolithic network equipment.
The problem is that planning and design tools developed for traditional equipment typically don’t work well with a disaggregated, multivendor network. They don’t provide optimal support for the incremental upgrades made possible by disaggregation and open networking.
Using older planning tools, incorporating third-party transponders may be difficult, and a given vendor’s software may not be able to accurately estimate the performance of a third-party transponder. In some cases, multiple planning tools are needed. This is the top operational challenge when planning disaggregated OLS.
Vendor-agnostic network planning & design – a key challenge
If planning and design run into difficulties, the result can be a knock-on effect that delays getting services to market. What’s needed is a vendor-agnostic planning and design tool developed specifically for disaggregated OLS, a system that supports independent selection of components at a more granular level, and enables operations staff to:
- Accurately model optical performance
- Plan optimal alien wavelength deployment
- Test topologies, transponder reach, and interoperability
- Quickly introduce new hardware.
Transforming OLS planning & design with AI/ML
Virtuora OLS-Designer brings the power of AI and ML to OLS planning & design. OLS-D provides a real-time, vendor-agnostic optical calculation model for estimating optical signal performance. This enables accurate multivendor reachability assessments, and aids in selecting the best options for modulation format.
A single multivendor network planning & design tool
OLS-Designer performs vendor-agnostic alien wavelength planning over a multivendor ROADM network, so there’s no need for proprietary ROADM information, and you only need a single planning tool for all the systems in the network.
For optimal line system design and bandwidth availability, as well as reduced time to market for services, Virtuora OLS-D is a highly effective option for disaggregated line systems. Talk to us at Fujitsu, and let’s continue the open dialogue about how to improve network planning and design, and get the most from your multivendor network.
