What This Document Is
These are session materials from ELENG 228A, High Speed Communications Networks, at the University of California, Berkeley. This resource focuses on the fundamental shift towards optical networking as a solution to ever-increasing bandwidth demands. It delves into the hardware components that enable these high-speed networks and explores how they differ from earlier generations of optical systems. The material appears to be based on a lecture delivered on November 7, 2000, providing a snapshot of the field at a pivotal moment in its development.
Why This Document Matters
This resource is ideal for students enrolled in advanced networking courses, particularly those specializing in optical communications. It’s also valuable for professionals seeking a deeper understanding of the technologies underpinning modern high-speed data transmission. Use this material to build a strong foundation in the principles of optical networking before tackling more complex concepts or practical implementations. It’s particularly useful when studying the evolution of network infrastructure and the challenges of scaling bandwidth to meet growing data traffic.
Topics Covered
* The driving forces behind the need for increased bandwidth in communication networks.
* The advantages of optical networking compared to traditional methods.
* Key hardware components used in optical networks, including fibers, lasers, and amplifiers.
* The role of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) in maximizing fiber capacity.
* The functionality and differences between optical add-drop multiplexers (OADMs) and optical cross-connects (OXCs).
* A comparison of earlier optical network architectures (SONET/SDH, ATM, FDDI) with emerging IP over WDM approaches.
* The benefits of wavelength converters in optimizing network utilization.
What This Document Provides
* An overview of the challenges related to bandwidth limitations in communication networks.
* A conceptual introduction to the core technologies enabling high-speed optical transmission.
* Diagrams illustrating the architecture of rearrangeable and rigid optical cross-connects.
* A discussion of the trade-offs and advantages of different hardware components.
* A historical context for the development of optical networking technologies.
* Insights into the transition from circuit-switched to packet-switched optical networks.
