Testing System for Optic Buildouts

OPNET Technologies' model should enable service providers to plan and build IP+Optical Ring Network architectures using Cisco's Dynamic Packet Transport (DPT) implementation of the SRP protocol.

by Wayne Kawamoto
[December 18, 2000]

OPNET Technologies announced its SRP model for network design and planning. The model, developed in conjunction with Cisco Systems, should enable IP service providers and large enterprises to create virtual representations of proposed networks that use Cisco's IP+Optical solution.

Cisco claims that the optical core of the IP+Optical solution is superior to traditonal SONET rings because it enables a simplified, cost-effective, provisioning of bandwidth for quicker revenue realization.

OPNET's SRP protocol should enable ISPs to evaluate the capacity and quality of service (QoS) characteristics of alternative design proposals. The model represents Cisco Systems Dynamic Packet Transport (DPT) implementation of the SRP protocol.

OPNET developed the SRP model for use with its OPNET Modeler platform. OPNET is a Test & Modeling Partner for service providers who are building, implementing, and managing DPT/SRP networks.

Principal applications for DPT/SRP include ISP intra-POP connectivity, regional metropolitan IP internetworking, and broadband metropolitan Internet access.

The OPNET SRP model supports the implementation submitted by Cisco to the IEEE 802 Resilient Packet Ring Study Group for consideration as a standard. "The OPNET SRP model is an important predictive management asset for carriers and enterprises that are committed to IP+Optical ring solutions. The OPNET SRP model also helps educate network professionals who want to gain a thorough understanding of SRP's capabilities and nuances," said Melanie Houghton, Vice President of Strategic Business Development at OPNET. "It's clear that IP+Optical technologies will play a major role in next-generation networks and we're eager to continue supporting innovations such as Cisco's implementation of SRP."

"By combining IP's intelligence and scalability with the capacity of fiber optics, customers can dramatically reduce network administration and management costs," said Graeme Fraser, Cisco vice president and general manager. "OPNET's implementation of the spatial reuse protocol model will enable service provider customers to dynamically model networks and build resilient packet rings. This will help accelerate the delivery of IP+Optical networks to data network customers, bringing them more information more efficiently and more cost-effectively than ever."

Pricing and availability
OPNET's Spatial Reuse Protocol (SRP) model is available immediately.

When customers purchase either of OPNET's two flagship software products (IT DecisionGuru or Modeler), the SRP model will be included at no additional cost. The software starts at $19,000.

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