SONET Architecture

SONET architecture is a network in its own right; not a simple replacement for asynchronous digital hierarchy. SONET architecture is re-configurable, with embedded switches and centralized management that enable automated processes. Check how you can benefit from the best prices on SONET architecture with us. In SONET architecture, the collector rings provide the network interface for all access applications, including local offices, private automatic branch exchange (PABX), access multiplexes, wireless base stations and ATM terminals. In some cases, a SONET multiplexer is located in customer environments and provides direct service.

SONET ensures that backbone synchronous transport signal (STS-1) switch processing element (SPE) is filled to the maximum. SONET architecture features network management, bandwidth management, protection, network simplification and mid-fiber meet. It offers benefits like, increased revenues, improved services, differentiated services, reduced operating costs, centralized management and survivable network capabilities. Each SONET architecture node gains timing from a very precise and stable cesium atomic clock somewhere on the network.

The basic version of SONET architecture consists of two terminals with a length of fiber between them. If the distance is too long for one fiber link, regenerators are organized to amplify and reconstruct the physical signal. An add/drop multiplexer provides two fiber connections with the ability to access the internal structure of the SONET frame to remove or insert individual channels as required for that node while passing the rest of the traffic through the unit. All elements in SONET architecture are intelligent in ability to access in-band management information dedicated to each layer within the SONET frame.

A couple of years ago Ethernet and other packet-based overlay networks were considered to have a limited future. However, the present economics of the game have changed and it looks as if SONET and it's successors will be with us for the foreseeable future. SONET architecture defines four layers: photonic, section, line and path. A photonic layer defines the optical equipment's characteristics, the tolerances in areas such as signal timing, jitter and phase shift. The section layer talks about the frame format. Line is the way in which lower-level frames are synchronized and combined into higher levels. Lastly, path is an end-to-end transport of a circuit that has management application information.

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