This course covers DWDM principles, components and networks. Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) is used to increase the number of wavelengths in the same fiber to achieve a higher aggregate bandwidth. Many photonic components make this technique possible. These components include filters, modulators, amplifiers, couplers, add-drop multiplexers (OADM), optical cross-connects, lasers and receivers, optical switches, light polarizers, modulators, and gratings among others.

This course provides a basic knowledge of the Next Generation SONET/SDH Network and relevant protocols. SONET/SDH has been successful in high speed optical communications and has paved the way to ultra-high bandwidth transport networks. However, its primary objective was synchronous traffic and high QoS. Asynchronous traffic (data), besides ATM, was predominantly transported over a relatively low-cost, low reliability and low data-rate network. However, the rapid increase in data services demands a data network with QoS and data rates comparable to SONET/SDH. Recently, DWDM technology also responded to the explosive aggregate bandwidth demand regardless of the synchronous or asynchronous nature of traffic. Thus, the simplicity and cost-efficiency of the data network, combined with the bandwidth capacity and QoS of the synchronous optical network and ATM, and the development of DWDM technology and protocols led to a network that combines the best of both worlds, the next generation SONET/SDH.

DWDM technology has made it possible to solve the bandwidth scalability and fiber exhaust in a very efficient and cost-effective manner. DWDM is making inroads in the optical communications network. There is a need for clear understanding of the failure modes of optical components that make this exciting technology possible. Failures and degradations affect the quality of the optical signal and the service provided as well as the reliability of the system and the network. Fault detection and localization may trigger a traffic rerouting process so that service is continued uninterrupted. Non-recoverable or non-localizeable faults may result in service interruption, which at an aggregate bandwidth of several Tb/s per fiber is significant.

Private and sensitive data are transported over the communications network, which unfortunately is not immune to eavesdroppers, attackers, and impersonators who access the network and harvest or destroy electronic data. This short course provides attendees with a thorough introduction to data security and cryptographic methods, such as DES, AES, RC4, elliptic curve, and RSA. It provides an introduction to key distribution methods such as Diffie-Hellman, ECC, Digital Signature, Key Escrow and quantum key distribution in optical networks. It also provides a thorough introduction in network security, and how it differentiates from data security. Other topics in this course include vulnerabilities and countermeasures, biometrics in the communications network and security in the next generation network.

SONET/SDH has been an established technology and protocol used in synchronous optical networking around the world. It has the flexibility to transport synchronous payloads and also asynchronous, such as ATM, Internet and Frame Relay. ATM is an established asynchronous protocol used in communications for high speed asynchronous data as well as synchronous. It warranties payload delivery and quality of service (QoS) that is customized to meet customer needs according to service level agreements (SLA). This course consists of two parts. In the first part we will describe: