The limitations of IPATM and POS:
Both of the current methodologies employ a complex series of encapsulations (IP into HDLC and then in either ATM or PPP before final packaging in SONET) intended to make IP traffic better “fit” into SONET’s rigid hierarchy. Unfortunately they have several drawbacks as well.

- Tremendous payload is wasted during the encapsulation process
- Multiple layers of equipment adds cost and complexity to the service provider’s network
- Packets are inefficiently routed adding to network delay and decreasing
- Quality of Service

It is estimated that using POS or IPATM an average of 35-45% of available bandwidth is wasted. While not a tremendous problem in long haul networks where there is an abundance
of bandwidth, this has a much more detrimental effect in the metropolitan
area where bandwidth is more precious.

In addition, neither method allows for “routing” packets intelligently within SONET so every frame must be
emptied, un-encapsulated, examined
and then re-encapsulated, re packaged
and transmitted along to the next node
on the SONET Ring where the process
is repeated again until all packets are delivered. It is estimated that this entire process can take anywhere from
100-135 milliseconds – an eternity in the world of Internet routing.

 
 


SONET Lab’s Data Transport Encapsulation Protocol (DTE)
A Better Way to Transport IP over SONET

In 1999, Dr Al Omran, SONETLab’s Chief Scientist recognized that many portions of the SONET standard dating back to the late 1980’s had been “reserved for future use” as often happens with standards. Dr Al believed that some of these elements of the SONET could aid SONET’s ability to carry data traffic. Long forgotten by the time the internet arrived, these capabilities had been completely overlooked by engineers who developed POS and IPATM. In short, Dr Omran recognized inherent and commercially unutilized intelligence in the SONET standard and he founded SONETLabs to take advantage of that discovery.

DTE uses a proprietary fixed-length packet and header structure to allow IP packets to be encapsulated directly into SONET frames without any intervening HDLC, PPP or ATM equipment or encapsulations. DTE uses 100% of the SONET frame payload, utilizes both the “working” and “protect” rings in a SONET network, and routes SONET frames based on the priority and destination of the IP packets in the payload.

In short, DTE revolutionizes the way IP can be transported over SONET and in doing so, provides tremendous advantages to service providers.

DATA TRANSPORT ENCAPSULATION (DTE):

- Extends the life of existing SONET networks by conserving bandwidth and efficiently routing traffic;

- Provides a SONET-based platform for IP Quality of Service that generates additional revenues;

- Serves as a low-cost method for extending broadband last-mile connections

Flexible Packaging The flexible nature of SONETLab’s technology allows for a great variety of packaging methods. The FEP routing protocol is essentially software code so it can be licensed to existing hardware providers and integrated into the code of any existing router, SONET switch or ADM. In addition, the routing protocol can be integrated onto a chip or card that goes into an existing slot on a router or switch and sold to existing equipment vendors. Finally, SONETLabs has built its own hybrid SONET transporter (SL3500) that service providers would purchase and install in their networks. The company is pursuing development of products in all three areas.

Copyright © 2005 SONETLabs, Inc, All rights reserved.