Next Generation Transmission

Overview

Transmission and network engineers who require an insight into modern digital transmission techniques used within fixed and mobile telecommunications networks. This course will improve an engineer’s understanding of how control and services traffic are handled at OSI protocol layers 1 and 2 in the access, metro and core networks.

This course is also very useful for engineers and scientists working in areas related to network transmission systems. This includes capacity planners, network switching engineers, Government security or forensic specialists, support staff and those in technical management roles.

On completion of this course the delegate will be able to:

• outline the GSM-UMTS-EPS evolutionary process
• identify the key transmission technologies available for use in modern core networks
• state how ATM provides enhanced support for Operation Administration and Maintenance (OAM) and QoS
• identify the key attributes of Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) in the context of Label Switched Paths (LSPs) and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
• describe how MPLS can support Internet Protocol (IP) and Ethernet services
• identify key services provided by and the main reasons for deploying Carrier-Based Ethernet
• describe how frame tagging is used within Carrier-Based Ethernets
• identify the Ethernet technology choices available
• identify the main interventions for Next Generation SDH (NG-SDH)
• identify the six key attributes and architecture model of an Optical Transport Network (OTN)
• describe the architecture and key components of an Automatically Switched Optical Network (ASON)
• explain how Generalized MPLS (GMPLS) and Transport-MPLS (TMPLS) differ from standard MPLS
• explain how Constraint-based Label Distribution Protocol (CR-LDP) can be used as part of the call control model
• explain the purpose and concerns affecting the design of Pseudo Wires (PWs)
• describe the operation of PW over IP and PW over MPLS

In addition to gaining a good understanding of the next generation transmission technologies, attending this course will enable the delegate to deliver operational improvements and generate cost savings or reduce project timelines by:

• improving network design, planning, operations and maintenance
• avoiding the laborious search through specifications, standards and white papers, while benefiting from a
• practical analysis and interpretation of such documentation by experienced engineers
• knowing better where to look to accelerate research and fact finding and facilitate earlier project completion
• improving the equipment procurement process by better analysis and challenge of technical specifications and supplier responses, thus giving greater certainty to on-target performance and value-for-money purchasing
• shortening the learning curve and speeding productive inputs from new team members and freeing more experienced employees’ time
• evaluating better a system’s capabilities through improved knowledge, leading to superior operations and maintenance performance
• providing greater confidence in the sale of equipment by anticipating customers’ technical requirements and
• being able to promote relevant superior equipment performance

and, after the course, Wray Castle’s unrivalled post-course support comes into effect.

Section 1 – 1 hour   Introduction to Transmission Networks
Modern Network Evolution
Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH)
Traditional Legacy Networks and Transmission
Next Generation Networks (NGNs) and Transmission
Competing Core Technologies
Carrier-Based Ethernet
Pseudo Wires

Section 2 – 2 hours   Options for Layer 2 Virtual Circuits
Leased Lines and IP VPNS
Frame Relay Frame Structure and QoS
ATM Terminology, Interfaces and Adaptation Layers
The ATM Layered Reference Model
ITU-T and ATM Forum Correlation
Peer-to Peer-Model – MPLS
Mapping ATM Cells into SDH (Cell Delineation)
MPLS and ATM Terminology
MPLS Shim Header
Architecture of and motivation for MPLS-based IP-VPNs

Section 3 – 2 hours   Carrier-Based Ethernet and Transmission Systems
Advantages and Disadvantages of Ethernet/GigE
Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF)
Carrier-Based Ethernet Interventions
Virtual Bridged LAN (VLAN)
IEEE 802.1q/ad/q/ag
IEEE 802.3ad Link Aggregation
Gigabit Ethernet
Frame Size and Segment Length
Gigabit Ethernet Operation
Ethernet Technologies and Protocols

Section 4 – 3 hours   Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH)
Next Generation Networks and Transmission
The Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH)
Layered Networks
Network Node Interfaces (NNIs)
SDH Functional Processes
Multiplexing Structures
Payload Options
Mapping Transport Structures into the VC-4
Primary Level Payload Mapping and Pointers
The STM-N Signal N>1
Section Overhead (SOH)
RSOH, MSOH, HOP and LOP Overheads
Trail Termination Functions
Tandem Connections and Tandem Connection Monitoring
Circuit Layer Payloads and STM Payloads
Synchronous Multiplexers
Terminal Multiplexers
Add and Drop Multiplexers (ADM)
SDH Digital Cross-Connect (DXC) Systems
SDH Digital Radio-Relay System (SDH-DRRS)
Access SDH
SDH Management Functional Areas
SDH Protection Mechanisms and Network Synchronization

Section 5 – 1 hour   Next Generation SDH
Next Generation SDH
Drivers for VCAT
SDH Overheads for GFP and VCAT
VCAT and LCAS
Generic Framing Procedure (GFP)

Section 6 – 1 hour   Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM)
Options for Growing Capacity
The Multiplexing/Demultiplexing Process
The Difference Between CWDM and DWDM
The ITU WDM Frequency Grids
Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM)
Embedded Systems and Open Systems
Practical DWDM Transmission Systems
The Optical Multiplexer/Demultiplexer
Optical Amplifiers
Optical Cross-Connect (OCX)
WDM in Metropolitan and Access Networks

Section 7- 4 hours   Optical Transport Network (OTN)
OTN Standards and Architecture
OTN Network Layered Structure
Optical Channel (OCh) Layer Network
Optical Multiplex Section Layer Network (OMS)
OTN Frame Structure
Layer Network Management Requirements
OTM Overhead Signal (OOS)
OTN Trails
Virtual Concatenation (VCAT)
Interconnecting Non-OTN Devices
Forward Error Correction (FEC)
Protection Techniques

Section 8 – 2 hours   MPLS in Optical Networks
Intelligent Optical Network Standards
Automatic Switched Transport Network (ASTN)
ASON Layered Network Model
Generalized Multi Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS)
Traffic Engineering (TE) Label Distribution Protocols
Routing and Call Model using CR-LDP
Transport MPLS
T-MPLS Clients and Servers
T-MPLS and Transport Technologies

Section 9 – 2 hours   Pseudo Wires
The Purpose of Pseudo Wires (PWs)
Pseudo Wire Standards and Concerns
PW Protocol Layers
PWE3 over IP
PWE3 over MPLS
TDM over IP Pseudo Wires
IETF TDMoIP
PW Stitching
Virtual Circuit Connectivity Verification

This course has been developed for engineering staff requiring detailed knowledge of a specialist area of technology. It assumes some underlying knowledge in broader, related topic areas on which the detailed content is built. It also assumes general engineering skills and knowledge appropriate to the course topic.

Along with a paper copy of comprehensive course notes the delegate will receive an electronic version on CD. This provides delegates with an easily transportable and fully searchable reference tool, including all the colour detail of the course presentation.

Following attendance on any Wray Castle course the delegate will automatically become eligible for free post-course support. If a delegate has any questions relating to the course content, this service puts the delegate in direct e-mail contact with a Wray Castle expert.

This course is designed for instructor-led training. The practical and/or complex nature of the course is best delivered in a class where the Wray Castle expert trainer can demonstrate and explain the content using a variety of specialist delivery techniques.

Delegates who attend this course may also be interested in other transmission courses including the Digital Microwave Link Planning course. Many delegates may be interested in expanding their IP knowledge with courses from the Wray Castle IP suite including TCP/IP Protocol Suite, IP Backbone Traffic Engineering, Hands-on IP, MPLS Overview and Broadband Access Technologies.

The introduction of new services such as voice over IP, video on demand and IPTV is putting increased pressure on operators to provide more bandwidth in their existing core and access telecommunications networks. Bandwidth requirements for normal web browsing alone are currently increasing at 40% year on year. This creates problems for operators who face intense competition in a market with a decreasing value per bit; yet existing transmission infrastructure has a high cost per bit.

This detailed technical course describes how new technologies and techniques are being used to reduce CapEx and OpEx by moving services away from traditional TDM-based to converged packetswitched networks.

After a brief review of current network solutions the course introduces layer 2 virtual circuit options in Frame Relay, ATM and MPLS. The course then moves on to Carrier-Based Ethernet solutions. Next there is a review of SDH followed by an explanation of the changes for Next Generation SDH. This is followed by a detailed treatment of Optical Transmission Networks (OTN) including the latest options for DWDM.

The course concludes with coverage of the pseudo-wire options that help maintain legacy continuity in the transition to next generation networks.

Prerequisites

Delegates should have a working knowledge of fixed or mobile telecommunications networks in terms of the nodes, services and applications that are supported at OSI protocol layers 3 and above. Some knowledge of packet-switched networks and IP routing protocols will be useful.