Fibre Channel SAN Extension over Optical Networks SONET/SDH Concepts
SONET/SDH Concepts
Time Division Multiplexing
Path Line Section Section
ADM
Section Line Section
SONET/SDH Multiplexer
Regenerator
Regenerator
SONET/SDH Multiplexer
Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) is a standard for optical transport defined by ANSI for use in North America. Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) is a standard defined by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for worldwide use. The components of a SONET/SDH system include: Path Terminating Equipment (PTE) such as multiplexers are located at the client sites. Multiplexers aggregate multiple service inputs (such as GigE, DS1, DS3, T1, T3) into a single OC-x carrier. Aggregation in SONET/SDH uses time-division multiplexing, as opposed to DWDMs wave-division multiplexing. Line Terminating Equipment (LTE) includes any device that transmits or receives data, such as Add-Drop Multiplexers (ADMs). Similar to DWDM OADMs, SONET/SDH ADMs add or drop data streams using time- division multiplexing. Any device that receives or transmits a signal is known as Section Terminating Equipment (STE). Multiplexers and ADMs are STE, as are signal regenerators.