BENEFITS OF INFINERA MTERA

mTera SONET/SDH Migration SONET/SDH MIGRATION:

Evolving TDM Networks to OTN/Packet with the ■■ Scale STS-1/VC-4 switching to 1.68 Tbps
and 100G+ interfaces
Infinera mTera UTP
■■ Protect high margin SONET/SDH
Although spending on SONET/SDH infrastructure has declined over the past decade, service revenues with Infinera mTera
the technology persists in many networks and reliably performs valuable network STS-1/VC-4 and OTN switching, the
Infinera 7090 CEM for TDM Circuit
functions while delivering high margin revenues. However, network operators with
Emulation, and the Infinera 7100 Pico
SONET/SDH infrastructure must contend with high operational costs related to for OTN ADM
maintenance, power consumption, and footprint in addition to the increasing challenges
of obtaining replacement parts. The Infinera mTera Universal Transport Platform (UTP), ■■ Deliver end-to-end services with
SONET/SDH to OTN and SONET/SDH
together with the entire Infinera packet optical portfolio, provides a range of options to packet interworking
for lowering operational costs without losing the high margin revenues generated by
legacy SONET/SDH. ■■ Avoid high maintenance costs
by replacing legacy SONET/SDH
ANALYZING THE DRIVERS FOR SONET/SDH MIGRATION equipment with future-proof next-
generation platforms
Following standardization in the late 1980s, SONET/SDH achieved widespread adoption
in the 1990s and became the dominant transport technology for network operators ■■ Reduce power consumption with less
around the globe. Aided by the evolution to more packet-friendly next-generation than 3 W per Gbps for STS-1/VC-4
switching, less than 0.7 W per Gbps for
SONET/SDH, network operators continued to invest billions in their SONET/SDH OTN switching, and less than 0.9 W for
infrastructure in the 2000s. And despite continued attempts to displace SONET/SDH packet switching
over the last fifteen years, the technology remains in the networks of many network
■■ Minimize the number of 100G+ line
operators as it reliably performs functions such as mobile network synchronization and
interfaces with efficient STS-1/VC-4
delivers highly profitable services to risk-averse end customers. grooming for SONET/SDH

However, network operators with traditional SONET/SDH networks face a number of

challenges, as shown in Figure 1. In addition to costly maintenance contracts, obtaining
replacement parts can be a challenge as equipment manufacturers discontinue
platforms and/or specific modules due to component obsolescence. Legacy SONET/
SDH equipment also typically requires a larger footprint and higher power consumption
relative to next-generation packet optical platforms. Together, these challenges result in
high operational costs. Furthermore, the majority of SONET/SDH equipment supports a
maximum interface speed of 10 Gbps (OC-192/STM-64), which limits the ability to scale
bandwidth cost effectively.
 STS-1/VC-4
ADM ADM

4 Limitations of
ADM
-6
ADM
SON TM Traditional SONET/SDH:
ET/S
DH R 2 /S
ing -19 Limited scalability
ADM OC
No 100G interfaces
ADM
ADM

STS-1/VC-4

STS-1/VC-4
ADM OC-192/STM-64 High power consumption
SONET/SDH Ring
ADM
ADM
Large footprint

ADM
High maintenance costs
OC
g
D H Rin -19 Challenges replacing failed parts
ET/S 2/
SON
ADM
SONET/SDH ST SONET/SDH

STS-1/VC-4
ADM
Switch (DXC) M Switch (DXC) Manufacturers discontinuing
-6
ADM ADM
4 platforms and/or specific modules

SONET/SDH
Switch (DXC)

Figure 1: Traditional SONET/SDH Network

CONVERGING OTN, PACKET, AND SONET/SDH ON A SINGLE PLATFORM

The mTera UTP provides a number of options for migrating SONET/SDH networks and services to next-generation platforms and technologies.
It provides a future-proof architecture that offers universal switching of packet, OTN, and/or SONET/SDH. The mTera UTP can be deployed as
a standalone OTN switch, a standalone packet switch, or a standalone SONET/SDH switch. Hybrid operation enables OTN switching, different
flavors of packet switching, and/or SONET/SDH switching to function simultaneously in the same shelf and even on the same cards and ports,
thus saving CapEx and footprint. Hybrid operation also enables different switching types to share the same high speed line interfaces, thereby
reducing interface costs and decreasing the number of wavelengths on the optical network.

Carrier SONET/
OTN MPLS-TP
Ethernet SDH

Universal Switching
10G DWDM 100G DWDM 100G/150G/200G

ROADM-on-a-Blade (Optional)

Figure 2: Infinera mTera UTP High Level Overview

2 mTera SONET/SDH Migration

The DWDM layer can be provided by the Infinera 7100 Packet Optical Transport Solutions, Infinera hiT 7300 Multi-Haul Transport Platform, or
third-party DWDM equipment. Alternatively, with its optional ROADM-on-a-blade modules, the mTera UTP can provide a converged packet
optical system with both electrical switching and DWDM.

REPLACING LEGACY SONET/SDH CORE SWITCHES WITH THE 1.68 TBPS MTERA UTP
One simple migration option, as shown in Figure 3, is to keep the SONET/SDH ADM rings and replace the core switches/DCSs with the
mTera UTP as a high-capacity STS-1/VC-4 switch. With the SSM-2S modules, the mTera 14-slot shelf can provide up to 1.68 Tbps of STS-1/VC-4
switching in 19RU, and the mTera 8-slot shelf can provide up to 960 Gbps in 10RU (23-inch rack) or 12RU (ETSI or 19-inch rack).

STS-1/VC-4
ADM ADM

ADM
4
ADM
SON -6
ET/S TM
DH R 2/S
ing -19 mTera UTP Benefits:
ADM OC
Up to 1.68 Tbps
ADM
ADM STS-1/VC-4 switching
STS-1/VC-4

STS-1/VC-4
OC-192/STM-64
ADM
SONET/SDH Ring Reduced power consumption
ADM
ADM
Reduced footprint
ADM
OC Future-proof platform
DH Ring -19
2/
ET/S ST
SON
ADM
M
STS-1/VC-4

ADM -6
Infinera mTera 4 Infinera mTera
ADM ADM

Infinera mTera

Figure 3: Replace Core SONET/SDH Switches with the mTera UTP

Additional benefits include reduced power consumption and footprint with STS-1/VC-4 switching at less than 3 W per Gbps and up to 96 Gbps
per rack unit, as shown in Table 1.

Infinera mTera UTP

Legacy SONET/SDH STS-1/VC-4 Switching Packet/OTN Switching

Maximum Switch Capacity 320 Gbps ~ 640 Gbps 1.68 Tbps 12 Tbps

Maximum Line Interface 10 Gbps 200 Gbps 200 Gbps

Footprint (Gbps per RU) 15 to 20 Up to 96 Up to 400

Power (W per Gbps) 5 to 10 <3 < 0..7 (OTN), <0.9 (Packet)

Table 1: Legacy SONET/SDH vs. mTera UTP

3 mTera SONET/SDH Migration

LEVERAGING SONET/SDH TO OTN INTERWORKING FOR 100G+ LINE INTERFACES
As shown in Figure 4, leveraging mTera UTP SONET/SDH to OTN interworking, the STS-1/VC-4 traffic can be mapped to OTN and transported
over high speed 100G and flexi-rate (100G/150G/200G) line interfaces. Optionally, these interfaces can be shared with other OTN switched
and packet switched traffic to maximize their utilization.

STS-1/VC-4

OTN
ADM ADM

ADM
ADM
SON +
0G
ET/S mTera UTP Benefits:
DH R
ADM
ing 10 100G+ line interfaces

ADM
ADM Mix SONET/SDH, OTN, and packet
STS-1/VC-4 traffic on the same 100G+ interfaces

STS-1/VC-4
ADM
100G+
SONET/SDH Ring
OTN

OTN
ADM
Up to 1.68 Tbps
ADM
STS-1/VC-4 switching
ADM
Reduced power consumption
HR ing 10
ET/SD 0G Reduced footprint
SON
ADM
+

STS-1/VC-4
ADM
Infinera mTera Infinera mTera
Future-proof platform

OTN
ADM ADM

Infinera mTera

Figure 4: Transport SONET/SDH over 100G+ Line Interfaces

SCALING ETHERNET OVER SONET/SDH WITH A PACKET SWITCHED CORE

Another option is to leverage mTera UTP SONET/SDH to packet interworking, taking Ethernet over SONET/SDH traffic from the ADM rings,
terminating the SONET/SDH, and then mapping the Ethernet traffic into a packet switching instance on the mTera UTP. In this way, the full
packet feature set of the mTera can be extended to Ethernet interfaces on the ADMs, and end-to-end Ethernet services can be delivered
over multiple transport switching domains. This application can be supported in parallel to the previously described applications with packet,
SONET/SDH, and OTN switching able to share the same physical mTera hardware and interfaces.

Ethernet over SONET/SDH

STS-1/VC-4

PACKET

ADM ADM

ADM
ADM
SON + mTera UTP Benefits:
0G
ET/S
DH R
ing 10 Extend mTera packet switching
ADM
to Ethernet interfaces on
ADM
ADM SONET/SDH ADMs
STS-1/VC-4

STS-1/VC-4

100G+
PACKET

PACKET

ADM
SONET/SDH Ring End-to-end MEF Ethernet services
ADM
ADM
over multiple transport domains

ADM
Scalable packet core with 100G+
interfaces
Ring 10
DH 0G
ET/S Statistical gains and granularity of
SON
ADM
+
STS-1/VC-4

ADM
Infinera mTera Infinera mTera packet switching
PACKET

ADM ADM

Infinera mTera

Figure 5: Ethernet over SONET/SDH to Packet Interworking

4 mTera SONET/SDH Migration
 MIGRATING SONET/SDH RINGS TO UNIVERSAL TRANSPORT WITH THE MTERA UTP
In addition to deploying the high-capacity 14-slot mTera as a replacement for core SONET/SDH switches and DCSs, network operators have
the option to extend the benefits of universal transport to the SONET/SDH rings by replacing either entire rings or individual nodes with either
the higher capacity 14-slot mTera or the more compact 8-slot mTera. The 8-slot mTera provides 960 Gbps of STS-1/VC-4 switching and up to 4
Tbps of OTN/packet switching and can be mounted horizontally consuming 10RU in a 23-inch rack or vertically consuming 12RU in a 19-inch
or ETSI rack. In addition, the mTera SONET/SDH protection and restoration schemes can be combined with OTN protection and restoration to
provide end-to-end resiliency from the SONET/SDH rings over the OTN core.

OTN
STS-1/VC-4
ADM ADM

ADM
ADM
SON mTera UTP Benefits:

Packet
ET/S +
DH R
ing
00G Option of compact 8-slot mTera
ADM
1
Migrate from ring to mesh or
OTN partial mesh topologies

OTN
STS-1/VC-4

STS-1/VC-4
100G+
mTera Ring Scale rings to 100G+
Packet

Packet
Mix SONET/SDH, packet, OTN, and
DWDM on the same platform
10 Introduce incrementally or

OTN
0G
STS-1/VC-4
ADM
es h replace entire rings
tial M 14-Slot mTera + 14-Slot mTera
Par
ADM ADM

Packet
8-Slot mTera

14-Slot mTera

Figure 6: Migrate SONET/SDH Rings with the mTera UTP

COMPLEMENTING THE MTERA WITH THE INFINERA 7090 CEM FOR T1/E1 CES
The mTera UTP supports STM-1/OC-3, STM-4/OC-12, STM-16/OC-48, and STM-64/OC-192 SONET/SDH interfaces. Where there is a need to
support lower speed TDM interfaces such as T1/E1, the Infinera 7090 Packet Transport Solutions CEM platforms can complement mTera UTP
rings with the ability to provide TDM Circuit Emulation Services (CES) over MPLS-TP with support for T1/E1, DS3, OC-3/STM-1, OC-12/STM-4,
and OC-48/STM-16 interfaces, as shown in Figure 7.

T1/E1/CES

T1/E1/CES
OTN
STS-1/VC-4

ADM ADM

ADM
ADM mTe Infinera 7090 CEM Benefits:
ra R
Packet

ing
T1/E1/CES TDM CES:
+ T1/E1
0G
ADM

10 DS3
OC-3/STM-1
OTN

OTN
STS-1/VC-4

STS-1/VC-4

100G+ OC12/STM-4
mTera Ring OC-48/STM-16
Packet

Packet

Synchronization:
Synchronous Ethernet
10 1588v2
OTN

ing 0G
STS-1/VC-4

aR +
mTer 14-Slot mTera 14-Slot mTera Platforms: 8 Gbps to 960 Gbps

mTera 8
Packet

T1/E1/CES

14-Slot mTera

Figure 7: E1/T1 CES with the Infinera 7090 CEM

5 mTera SONET/SDH Migration

REPLACING SONET/SDH RINGS WITH OTN ADMs AND STS-1/VC-4 SWITCHING IN THE CORE
OTN ADMs provide another option for migrating SONET/SDH rings. The 2RU Infinera 7100 Pico Packet Optical Transport Platform can provide
a compact 100G ADM with a pair of HGTM-MS2 100G muxponder/ADM modules. Alternatively, a 10G ADM option is available with the OMM-X
module, which provides two 10G/OTU2 line interfaces and eight low speed SFP client ports. SONET/SDH traffic can be mapped to ODU0s,
ODU1s, or ODU2s and then transported over the 10G or 100G OTN ring to the mTera UTP.

STS-1/VC-4
OC-3/STM-1

OTN

OTN
ADM

10G + mTera + Pico OTN ADM:

0G
OTN
R Cost-effective OTN ADMs
ing
10
Low power and small footprint
Increased ring capacity (100G)
STS-1/VC-4

STS-1/VC-4
100G+
100G OTN Ring
OTN

OTN

OTN

OTN
Reduced maintenance costs
Future-proof platforms

10 STS-1/VC-4 grooming at core

ing 0G maximizes the utilization of 100G+
TN R
0G O Infinera mTera + Infinera mTera

STS-1/VC-4
1 line interfaces
OTN

OTN
OC-3/STM-1

Infinera mTera

Figure 8: OTN to the Edge with STS-1/VC-4 Grooming in the Core

At the mTera UTP, this traffic can either be switched natively as with OTN or it can be sent to an SSM-2S module for STS-1/VC-4 grooming
before being mapped back to OTN. This STS-1/VC-4 grooming can result in much more efficient utilization of high speed line interfaces, for
example enabling an OTU4 to carry 640 STM-1s/OC-3s, rather than 80 OC-3s/STM-1s when OC-3s/STM-1s are carried in ODU0s, as shown in
Figure 9.
Native OTN Switching OTN Switching with STS-1/VC-4 Grooming

ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0

ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0

ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0

ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0

ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0

ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0

ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0

ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU0 ODU2 ODU2 ODU2 ODU2 ODU2 ODU2 ODU2 ODU2 ODU2 ODU2

ODU4 ODU4

80xOC-3/STM-1 = 12.5% Utilization 640xOC-3/STM-1 = 100% Utilization

Figure 9: Native OTN Switching vs. OTN Switching with STS-1/VC-4 Grooming

6 mTera SONET/SDH Migration

 REPLACING SONET/SDH RINGS WITH PACKET/TDM CES RINGS
An additional option for the SONET/SDH rings is to migrate them to packet switching based on MPLS-TP, including VPLS/H-VPLS, with TDM
CES for the TDM interfaces, leveraging the 7090 CEM Series. Benefiting from the granularity and statistical gains of packet, these rings can
be used to deliver both Ethernet and TDM services through the mTera UTP as it provides a scalable core packet switch with the additional
ability to perform SONET/SDH and OTN switching.
TDM CES
Infinera
7090
CEM

Infinera 7090 CEM Rings:

OTN
Ethernet TDM CES 10GE and 100GE rings

Packet
ADM TDM CES: T1/E1, DS3, OC-3/STM-1,

1/VC-4
OC-12/STM-4, OC-48/STM-16

STS-
ADM
ADM
10G +
Pack
et Rin
00G Ethernet Clients: FE/FX, GE,
g 1 10GE, 100GE
TDM CES MPLS-TP with hard QoS
OTN

OTN
100G+ Statistical gain and granularity
Packet

Packet
100G Packet Ring of packet
1/VC-4

1/VC-4
STS-

STS-
Low power and small footprint

g 10 Reduced maintenance costs

e t Rin
Pack 0G
10G + Future-proof Platforms: 8 Gbps
Infinera mTera OTN Infinera mTera
to 960 Gbps
Packet

1/VC-4
STS-

TDM CES

Infinera mTera

Figure 10: Packet/CES Rings with the Infinera 7090 CEM

DELIVERING END-TO-END SERVICES WITH SONET/SDH-PACKET AND SONET/SDH-OTN

INTERWORKING
Leveraging its universal switching and interworking capabilities, the mTera UTP can provide a gateway between the SONET/SDH domain
and other transport domains based on OTN, MPLS-TP, and Carrier Ethernet technologies. The mTera UTP can enable end-to-end TDM
and Ethernet services that span the SONET/SDH domain and the OTN domain. Universal switching can also enable end-to-end Ethernet
services that span the SONET/SDH domain and packet domains including MPLS-TP/H-VPLS, Carrier Ethernet VLAN cross-connect, and
Carrier Ethernet bridging.
mTera UTP

OTN
Switched
domain
OTN

MPLS-TP
domain
STS-1/VC-4

SONET/SDH
domain
VLAN XC
domain
Packet

Bridging
domain

Figure 11: End-to-end Services Gateway

7 mTera SONET/SDH Migration

FEATURING THE MTERA SSM-2S SONET/SDH SWITCHING MODULE
The mTera SSM-2S module provides six 10G SFP+ ports for OC-192/STM-64 and twenty-four SFP ports for OC-3/OC-12/OC-48/STM-1/STM-4/
STM-16. 120 Gbps of native STS-1/VC-4 traffic per SSM-2S module can be switched between ports on the same SSM-2S module and between
ports on different SSM-2S modules via the backplane and mTera universal fabrics. The SSM-2S therefore is designed to enable up to 1.68 Tbps
of STS-1/VC-4 switching in the 14-slot mTera and 960 Gbps in the 8-slot mTera.

24xSFP (OC-3/STM-1, OC-12/STM-4, OC-48/STM-16) 6x10G SFP+ (OC-192/STM-64)

120G STS-1/VC-4
SSM-2S

Native
STS-1/VC-4

OTN Packet
Interworking Interworking OTN
(60 Gbps) (30 Gbps)
Packet

BACKPLANE UNIVERSAL FABRICS

Figure 12: mTera SSM-2S SONET/SDH Switching Module

The SSM-2S module is designed to also support:

■■ SONET/SDH to OTN interworking: 60 Gbps of STS-1/VC-4 traffic from the same module or other SSM-2S modules mapped to OTN
and switched to the mTera OSM OTN/packet modules
■■ SONET/SDH to packet interworking: Terminate up to 30 Gbps of Ethernet over SONET/SDH traffic from the SONET/SDH ports and
switch the Ethernet traffic into the packet switching on the mTera OSM OTN/packet modules
■■ Synchronization: Stratum 3 clocks in the mTera timing and processor modules with timing references coming from either the
interfaces on the switching modules or external timing interfaces (T1/E1/2MHz) in the shelf common equipment
■■ SONET/SDH protection: UPSR, SNC, 1+1 APS, and 1+1 MSP
■■ ASON/GMPLS protection and restoration: STS-1/VC-4

SONET/SDH resiliency schemes can also be combined with the mTera packet and OTN resiliency schemes including ODUk-level ASON/
GMPLS protection and restoration.

MIGRATING WITH INFINERA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Infinera offers comprehensive professional services to assist with the migration of SONET/SDH networks. These professional services
follow a four-phase process, as shown in Figure 13. The first phase provides a network audit that includes: identifying the targeted network
elements, conducting a field audit, and gathering each network element configuration and the physical and logical circuit assignments.
This process enables Infinera Professional Services to determine the high level project scope.

8 mTera SONET/SDH Migration

 Project/Program Phase I: Network Audit & Records Reconciliation
Management
Phase II: Network Analysis, Migration Design & Equipment Build-out Specifications

Phase III: Network Build-out & Network Circuit Test

Phase IV: Network Migration Execution

Figure 13: Infinera Professional Services Process for SONET/SDH Migration

The second phase in the migration of SONET/SDH networks includes network analysis, a migration plan and procedures, and equipment
selection and deployment. The third phase consists of provisioning the new network elements, installing new facility wiring/optics, and testing
the end-to-end circuits. The fourth and final phase includes executing the facility/service migrations, verifying the alarms, and updating the new
circuit designs in the OSS and other support systems.

SUMMARY
Though SONET/SDH networks continue to deliver high margin services to risk-averse customers and perform useful network functions
such as mobile network synchronization, they suffer from high operational costs and the threat of component obsolescence. The mTera
UTP, together with the 7090 CEM and 7100 Pico, provides a range of options for migrating SONET/SDH networks to next-generation OTN/
packet technologies and future-proof platforms while lowering operational costs and protecting SONET/SDH service revenues. These
Infinera solutions can also deliver a wide range of additional services based on their OTN switching, packet switching, and DWDM/ROADM
capabilities.

© 2019 Infinera Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Infinera and logos that contain Infinera are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Infinera Corporation in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks
are the property of their respective owners. Statements herein may contain projections regarding future
products, features, or technology and resulting commercial or technical benefits, which are subject to risk
and may or may not occur. This publication is subject to change without notice and does not constitute
legal obligation to deliver any material, code, or functionality and is not intended to modify or supplement
any product specifications or warranties. 74C.0175 Rev. B 01/19