'Network operators would consider moving to the more resilient intelligent mess network'

Why are optical networks so important in the era of wireless
communications?

The resiliency of communications network infrastructure has always been very
important for network operators. Moreover, the simultaneous globalization of
communication networks has made network uptime a critical element for consumers,
businesses, and government organizations as well. The important factor to
consider about optical networks is that spectrum is a scarce commodity and
operators must still rely heavily on terrestrial optical networks and, in some
cases, on copper-based cable networks as well

How important are optical networks from a consumer perspective?

On the face of it, the issue of robustness and redundancies that are
inherent in optical networks may not have any impact on the consumer. However,
consider the case where consumers today are logging onto the Internet to conduct
a host of monetary and e-commerce transactions or the flourishing BPO or IT
industry in India, where export earnings for the country are in billions of
dollars. In both cases, the network assumes a very significant and mission
critical role.

Neeraj Gulati, MD and vice president, Ciena India

What is the future requirement regarding the network?

The dramatic growth of infrastructure across India and rising bandwidth
demand and quality of service call for an evaluation of the very way networks
are designed. Today, networks require more than ring-based architectures, which
are not efficient or resilient with higher-volume traffic when recovery time
from a failure is calculated in minutes.

Alternatively, a network with the intelligence to think on its
own can recover itself from a failure within milliseconds. More specifically,
mesh architecture, based on intelligent control plane software, has proven to be
the best method to overcome such challenges. With software intelligence embedded
in network nodes, the network is automatically able to identify a failure
immediately and determine the best, fastest, and shortest-alternate path within
milliseconds to maintain network uptime. At the time of growth and
globalization, it is imperative that network operators seriously consider
transitioning their networks from conventional ring based architecture to the
more resilient intelligent mess network based on optical plane control software.

What will be Ciena's focus area in this year?

Our India center is focused more on product development and certainly the
development of futuristic hardware products will be on our radar this year.
India is on a long-term growth path, which has generated ample opportunities for
us. I strongly feel that IT is the methodology to solve the Indian problems. At
present, I can only say that we will concentrate more on mesh networking and
better SLA management.

Kumar Anshuman


anshumank@cybermedia.co.in