Traditionally, dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) has been used to relieve congested fiber networks when the option of deploying additional fiber cable strands is cost-prohibitive. An example of the "fiber relief" strategy is the deployment of point-to-point DWDM within a fiber transmission section to create "virtual" fiber strands in the network. These virtual fiber strands are then deployed as fiber sections for Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) rings or for point-to-point optical fiber systems. As DWDM systems become more intelligent, DWDM system deployment is becoming more expansive to include optical service drops, such as storage protocol extension and high-bandwidth Ethernet. These types of services are bandwidth-intensive and tend to strain the limits of typical SONET OC-48/192 system deployments. Therefore, the most optimal method for offering these and other services is with dedicated wavelengths. This chapter examines the tenets of offering such "wavelength services" over the ONS 15454 Multiservice Transport Platform (MSTP) and explores the different categories and characteristics of wavelength services as they relate to ONS 15454 MSTP features/functions. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the management capabilities of ONS 15454 MSTP wavelength services. |