The Optical Internetworking Forum is presenting two panel discussions on Next Generation Interconnects and Software Defined Networking, two of the hottest topics the optical networking industry is facing. The presentations will feature a variety of speakers representing the optical networking ecosystem, from component and equipment vendors to carriers. In addition, the OIF has a live, multi-vendor interoperability demonstration of 100Gb/s channels on display at OFC/NFOEC in Anaheim, March 19-21 at the OIF booth #2769. The following companies are participating in the OIF Interoperability 2013; Altera, Broadcom Corporation, Finisar, Fujitsu Optical Components, Inphi, Luxtera, Molex Incorporated, Oclaro, Semtech, Xilinx and Yamaichi Electronics. Agilent Technologies Inc. and Tektronix, Inc. supply test equipment used in the demonstration.

“Even as network operators and data center managers are ramping the deployment of 100Gb/s equipment, there is mounting pressure to establish capabilities to deploy next generation data rates beyond 100Gb/s,” says Nathan Tracy of TE Connectivity and the OIF Technical Committee Vice Chair. “The OIF’s Next Generation Interconnection Framework document being launched in this OFC panel discussion provides the industry with an open discussion about where and how next generation interconnection parameters will be defined.”

“While SDN started in the campus and data center, it has moved quickly into the wide area over the past year,” said Sterling Perrin, Industry Analyst for Heavy Reading. “The definition of Carrier SDN is still a work in progress, but service providers are drawn to the promises of software programmability, openness, and interoperability across domains and across network layers. Heavy Reading believes that the OIF has a critical role to play in helping shape the future of Carrier SDN.”

OIF Next Generation Interconnect Framework Document Overview
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
11:00am - 1:00pm PDT
Expo Theater II

Moderator: Nathan Tracy of TE Connectivity and OIF Technical Committee Vice Chair will provide opening remarks on the OIF’s Next Generation Framework Interconnect document, its purpose and design. Panel speakers will identify the types of interconnections that can benefit from industry definition and areas of technical work needed to support next generation systems. Speakers include Steve Joiner of Finisar and OIF board member; Torsten Wuth of Nokia Siemens Networks and OIF Physical Layer User Group Chair; Erin Byrne of TE Connectivity; Ed Frlan of Semtech and OIF Interoperability Chair – Physical and Link Layer; and Scott Kipp of Brocade Communications.

The OIF Next Generation Interconnect Framework document identifies the applications spaces or types of interconnections that will be needed by the Optical Communications industry to meet the growing bandwidth challenges. This panel will offer a look at the entire optical industry ecosystem including perspectives from semiconductor, optical links and electrical channel, data center equipment and telecom equipment providers.

The OIF encourages any and all parties interested in learning about what lies next in the optical revolution to attend the OIF presentation on the Next Generation Interconnects to enable what lies beyond 100G.

Carrier SDN Drivers
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
10:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Expo Theater II

Moderator: Joe Whitehouse, Metaswitch Networks, Director of Marketing, Network Technologies and OIF Market Awareness & Education Co-Chair.

Speakers:
Sterling Perrin, Heavy Reading, Senior Industry Analyst; Hans-Martin Foisel of Deutsche Telekom and OIF Carrier Working Group Chair and Board Member; Lyndon Ong of Ciena and OIF PCE Implementation Agreement Editor; and Katsuhiro Shimano of NTT Network Innovation Labs.

The OIF is working towards solving issues, relying heavily on its’ carrier members - some of whom are among the world’s largest service providers - to identify the key requirements and building blocks for the development and deployment of interoperable optical networking solutions and services. SDN plays a role in transport networking and the OIF, with its carrier and vendor members, is uniquely positioned to address the key carrier requirements for SDN in optical/transport environments. This session will feature a panel discussion with carrier OIF members addressing the drivers for carrier SDN in optical/transport networks.

About the OIF

Launched in 1998, the OIF is the first industry group to unite representatives from data and optical networking disciplines, including many of the world's leading carriers, component manufacturers and system vendors. The OIF promotes the development and deployment of interoperable networking solutions and services through the creation of Implementation Agreements (IAs) for optical, interconnect, network processing, component and networking systems technologies. The OIF actively supports and extends the work of standards bodies and industry forums with the goal of promoting worldwide compatibility of optical internetworking products. Information on the OIF can be found at http://www.oiforum.com. Follow us on Twitter @Optical_Forum and LinkedIn.