OIF Launches External Network-Network-Interface (E-NNI) Routing Project

The Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) has launched a new External Network-Network-Interface (E-NNI) Routing project to define information to be shared by ASON network elements and allow paths to be calculated for a connection through multiple network domains of optical switching equipment. The new specification, titled E-NNI 1.0 Routing Implementation Agreement (IA), will be based on the provisional routing protocol used by the OIF in interoperability tests performed in 2003, 2004 and 2005.



"By formalizing its routing inter-domain interface, this Implementation Agreement will fill a critical gap for carriers as they look to complete specifications of their next generation transport networks," said Hans-Martin Foisel, of Deutsche Telekom, OIF Forum Carrier Working Group chair and board member. "This is exactly the kind of work product that accelerates the global realization of interoperable optical networks."



The OIF plans to submit the completed E-NNI Routing IA to the IETF and other standards development organizations such as ITU-T after its ratification by the Forum's members anticipated for later this year.



The OIF also announced that it has established a liaison relationship with the IPv6 Forum and joined the Mountain View Alliance bringing the Forum's total number of such industry contacts to 15.

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