Abstract:

Telecommunications transport networks carry aggregated communications information transparently, reliably and efficiently,supporting a full range of communications service provider（CSP）services and service networking layers （IP,Ethernet,ATM,TDM,etc.）. While optical-specific technology advances will continue to be essential for continued scalability and cost/bit advances,it is asserted here that a combination of external drivers will have the greatest impact on shaping the form of the next generation of transport networks. The converging drivers for change were discussed, a vision of how the broader network architecture as well as transport networks change was laid out, and the changing network attributes and technology directions central to this transformation were illustrated.

Key words: next generation of transport network, network function virtualization, content delivery network, software defined networking