CH A P T E R 8

SDH Topologies and Upgrades

This chapter explains Cisco ONS 15600 SDH topologies and upgrades. To provision topologies, refer to
the Cisco ONS 15600 SDH Procedure Guide.
Chapter topics include:
• 8.1 Overview, page 8-1
• 8.2 Point-to-Point and Linear ADM Configurations, page 8-1
• 8.3 Multiplex-Section Shared Protection Rings, page 8-2
• 8.4 Subnetwork Connection Protection Rings, page 8-7
• 8.5 Dual-Ring Interconnect, page 8-9
• 8.6 Subtending Rings, page 8-17
• 8.7 Extended Subnetwork Connection Protection Networks, page 8-19
• 8.8 In-Service Topology Upgrades, page 8-21
• 8.9 Overlay Ring Circuits, page 8-22

8.1 Overview
The ONS 15600 SDH usually operates as a hub node in networks that include ONS 15454 SDHs. Single
nodes are installed at geographic locations where several ONS SDH topologies converge. A single
ONS 15600 SDH node might be a part of several ONS SDH rings/networks.
To avoid errors during network configuration, Cisco recommends that you draw the complete ONS SDH
network topology on paper (or electronically) before you begin the physical implementation. A sketch
ensures that you have adequate slots, cards, and fibers to complete the topology.

8.2 Point-to-Point and Linear ADM Configurations

You can configure ONS 15600 SDHs as a line of add/drop multiplexers (ADMs) by configuring one
STM-N port as the working path and a second port as the protect path. Unlike rings, point-to-point (two
node configurations) and linear (three node configurations) ADMs require that the STM-N ports at each
node be in 1+1 protection to ensure that a break to the working line automatically routes traffic to the
protect line.

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8.3 Multiplex-Section Shared Protection Rings

Figure 8-1 shows two ONS 15600 SDH nodes in a point-to-point ADM configuration. Working traffic
flows from Slot 1/Port 1 at Node 1 to Slot 1/Port 1 at Node 2. You create the protect path by creating a
1+1 configuration with Slot 2/Port 1 and Slot 2/Port 1 at Nodes 1 and 2.

Figure 8-1 Point-to-Point ADM Configuration

Slot 1/Port 1 to Slot 1/Port 1

98292
Slot 2/Port 1 to Slot 2/Port 1

Node 1 Node 2

Working Path
Protect Path

8.3 Multiplex-Section Shared Protection Rings

The ONS 15600 SDH can support up to 32 multiplex section-shared protection rings (MS-SPRings).
Because the working and protect bandwidths must be equal, you can create only STM-16 or STM-64
MS-SPRings (that is, you cannot create an MS-SPRing with a mixture of STM-16 and STM-64 line
rates). For information about MS-SPRing protection channels, see the “7.7 Protection Channel Access
Circuits” section on page 7-14.

Note For best performance, MS-SPRings should have one LAN connection for every ten nodes in the
MS-SPRing.

8.3.1 Two-Fiber MS-SPRings

In two-fiber MS-SPRings, each fiber is divided into working and protect bandwidths. For example, in an
STM-16 MS-SPRing, VC4s 1 to 8 carry the working traffic, and VC4s 9 to 16 are reserved for protection
(Figure 8-2). Working traffic (VC4s 1 to 8) travels in one direction on one fiber and in the opposite
direction on the second fiber. Cisco Transport Controller (CTC) circuit routing routines calculate the
shortest path for circuits based on many factors, including user requirements, traffic patterns, and
distance. For example, in Figure 8-2, circuits going from Node 0 to Node 1 will typically travel on Fiber
1, unless that fiber is full, in which case circuits will be routed to Fiber 2 through Node 3 and Node 2.
Traffic from Node 0 to Node 2 (or Node 1 to Node 3) can be routed on either fiber, depending on circuit
provisioning requirements and traffic loads.

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8.3.1 Two-Fiber MS-SPRings

Figure 8-2 Four-Node, Two-Fiber MS-SPRing

VC4s 1-8 (working)

VC4s 9-16 (protect)

Node 0

VC4s 1-8 (working)

VC4s 9-16 (protect)

Node 3 STM-16 Ring Node 1

= Fiber 1

159600
Node 2 = Fiber 2

The SDH K1, K2, and K3 bytes carry the information that governs MS-SPRing protection switches. Each
MS-SPRing node monitors the K bytes to determine when to switch the SDH signal to an alternate
physical path. The K bytes communicate failure conditions and actions taken between nodes in the ring.
If a break occurs on one fiber, working traffic targeted for a node beyond the break switches to the protect
bandwidth on the second fiber. The traffic travels in a reverse direction on the protect bandwidth until it
reaches its destination node. At that point, traffic is switched back to the working bandwidth.
Figure 8-3 shows a traffic pattern sample on a four-node, two-fiber MS-SPRing.

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8.3.1 Two-Fiber MS-SPRings

Figure 8-3 Four-Node, Two-Fiber MS-SPRing Traffic Pattern Sample

Node 0

Node 3 STM-16 Ring Node 1

Traffic flow
Fiber 1

159599
Node 2 Fiber 2

Figure 8-4 shows how traffic is rerouted following a line break between Node 0 and Node 3.
• All circuits originating on Node 0 that carried traffic to Node 2 on Fiber 2 are switched to the protect
bandwidth of Fiber 1. For example, a circuit carried on VC4-1 on Fiber 2 is switched to VC4-9 on
Fiber 1. A circuit carried on VC4-2 on Fiber 2 is switched to VC4-10 on Fiber 1. Fiber 1 carries the
circuit to Node 3 (the original routing destination). Node 3 switches the circuit back to VC4-1 on
Fiber 2 where it is routed to Node 2 on VC4-1.
• Circuits originating on Node 2 that normally carry traffic to Node 0 on Fiber 1 switch to the protect
bandwidth of Fiber 2 at Node 3. For example, a circuit carried on VC4-2 on Fiber 1 is switched to
VC4-10 on Fiber 2. Fiber 2 carries the circuit to Node 0 where the circuit is switched back to VC4-2
on Fiber 1 and then dropped to its destination.

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8.3.2 MS-SPRing Bandwidth

Figure 8-4 Four-Node, Two-Fiber MS-SPRing Traffic Pattern Following Line Break

Node 0

Node 3 STM-16 Ring Node 1

Traffic flow
Fiber 1

159598
Node 2 Fiber 2

8.3.2 MS-SPRing Bandwidth

MS-SPRing nodes can terminate traffic coming from either side of the ring. Therefore, MS-SPRings are
suited for distributed node-to-node traffic applications such as interoffice networks and access networks.
MS-SPRings allow bandwidth to be reused around the ring and can carry more traffic than a network
with traffic flowing through one central hub. MS-SPRings can also carry more traffic than a subnetwork
connection protection (SNCP) ring operating at the same STM-N rate. Table 8-1 shows the bidirectional
bandwidth capacities of two-fiber MS-SPRings. The capacity is the STM-N rate divided by two,
multiplied by the number of nodes in the ring minus the number of pass-through VC circuits.

Table 8-1 Two-Fiber MS-SPRing Capacity

OC Rate Working Bandwidth Protection Bandwidth Ring Capacity

STM-16 VC4 1-8 VC4 9-16 8 x N1 – PT2
STM-64 VC4 1-32 VC4 33-64 32 x N – PT
1. N equals the number of ONS 15xxx SDH nodes in the ring. Nodes can be configured as MS-SPRing nodes
but be in another MS-SPRing.
2. PT equals the number of VC-4 circuits passed through ONS 15xxx SDH nodes in the ring (capacity varies
depending on the traffic pattern).

Figure 8-5 shows an example of MS-SPRing bandwidth reuse. The same VC4 carries three different
traffic sets simultaneously on different spans around the ring: one set from Node 3 to Node 1, another
set from Node 1 to Node 2, and another set from Node 2 to Node 3.

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8.3.3 MS-SPRing Fiber Connections

Figure 8-5 MS-SPRing Bandwidth Reuse

Node 0

VC4 #1 VC4 #1

Node 3 Node 1

VC4 #1 VC4 #1

Node 2
= Node 3 – Node 1 traffic
= Node 1 – Node 2 traffic

159604
= Node 2 – Node 3 traffic

8.3.3 MS-SPRing Fiber Connections

Plan your fiber connections and use the same plan for all MS-SPRing nodes. For example, make the east
port the farthest slot to the right and the west port the farthest slot to the left. Plug fiber connected to an
east port at one node into the west port on an adjacent node. Figure 8-6 shows fiber connections for a
two-fiber MS-SPRing with trunk (span) ports in Slot 4 (west) and Slot 12 (east). Refer to the
Cisco ONS 15600 SDH Procedure Guide for fiber connection procedures.

Note Always plug the transmit (Tx) connector of an STM-N port at one node into the receive (Rx) connector
of an STM-N port at the adjacent node. Cards display an SF LED when Tx and Rx connections are
mismatched.

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8.4 Subnetwork Connection Protection Rings

Figure 8-6 Connecting Fiber to a Four-Node, Two-Fiber MS-SPRing

Tx Tx Tx Tx
Rx Rx Rx Rx
West East West East

Slot 4 Slot 12 Slot 4 Slot 12

Port 1 Port 3 Port 1 Port 3
Node 1 Node 2

Tx Tx Tx Tx
Rx Rx Rx Rx
West East West East

Slot 4 Slot 12 Slot 4 Slot 12

96663
Port 1 Port 3 Port 1 Port 3

Node 4 Node 3

8.4 Subnetwork Connection Protection Rings

SNCP rings provide duplicate fiber paths around the ring. Working traffic flows in one direction and
protection traffic flows in the opposite direction. If a problem occurs in the working traffic path, the
receiving node switches to the path coming from the opposite direction.
CTC automates ring configuration. SNCP traffic is defined within the ONS 15600 SDH on a
circuit-by-circuit basis. If a path-protected circuit is not defined within a 1+1 or MS-SPRing line
protection scheme and path protection is available and specified, CTC uses SNCP as the default. You
can set up a maximum of 64 STM-1/4/16 SNCPs or 16 STM-64 SNCPs for each ONS 15600 SDH node.
An SNCP circuit requires two data communications channel (DCC)-provisioned optical spans per node.
SNCP circuits can be created across these spans until their bandwidth is consumed.

Note If an SNCP circuit is created manually by Transaction Language One (TL1), DCCs are not needed;
therefore, SNCP circuits are limited by the cross-connection bandwidth or the span bandwidth, but not
by the number of DCCs.

The span bandwidth consumed by an SNCP circuit is two times the circuit bandwidth, since the circuit
is duplicated. The cross-connection bandwidth consumed by an SNCP circuit is three times the circuit
bandwidth at the source and destination nodes only. The cross-connection bandwidth consumed by an
intermediate node has a factor of one.
Figure 8-7 shows a basic SNCP configuration. If Node 0 sends a signal to Node 2, the working signal
travels on the working traffic path through Node 1. The same signal is also sent on the protect traffic path
through Node 3.

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8.4 Subnetwork Connection Protection Rings

Figure 8-7 Basic Four-Node SNCP

ONS 15600 SDH

Node 0

ONS 15454 SDH ONS 15454 SDH

Node 3 Node 1

ONS 15600 SDH

Node 2

= Fiber 1 (working)

159621
= Fiber 2 (protected)

If a fiber break occurs, Node 2 switches its active receiver to the protect signal coming through Node 3
(Figure 8-8).

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8.5 Dual-Ring Interconnect

Figure 8-8 SNCP with a Fiber Break

Source

Span 4 Span 1
ONS 15600 SDH
Node 0

ONS 15454 SDH ONS 15454 SDH

Node 3 Node 1

Span 2

Destination
Span 3
Fiber
break

= Fiber 1 (working)

159620
ONS 15600 SDH
Node 2 = Fiber 2 (protected)

Because each traffic path is transported around the entire ring, SNCP rings are best suited for networks
where traffic concentrates at one or two locations and is not widely distributed. SNCP capacity is equal
to its bit rate. Services can originate and terminate on the same SNCP, or they can be passed to an
adjacent access or interoffice ring for transport to the service-terminating location.

8.5 Dual-Ring Interconnect

Dual-ring interconnect (DRI) topology provides an extra level of path protection for circuits on
interconnected rings. DRI allows users to interconnect MS-SPRings, SNCP rings, or an SNCP ring with
an MS-SPRing, with additional protection provided at the transition nodes. In a DRI topology, ring
interconnections occur at two or four nodes.
The drop-and-continue DRI method is used for all ONS 15600 SDH DRIs. In drop-and-continue DRI, a
primary node drops the traffic to the connected ring and routes traffic to a secondary node within the
same ring. The secondary node also routes the traffic to the connected ring; that is, the traffic is dropped
at two different interconnection nodes to eliminate single points of failure. To route circuits on DRI, you
must choose the Dual Ring Interconnect option during circuit provisioning. Dual transmit is not
supported.
Two DRI topologies can be implemented on the ONS 15600 SDH:
• A traditional DRI requires two pairs of nodes to interconnect two networks. Each pair of
user-defined primary and a secondary nodes drop traffic over a pair of interconnection links to the
other network.

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8.5.1 MS-SPRing DRI

• An integrated DRI requires one pair of nodes to interconnect two networks. The two interconnected
nodes replace the interconnection ring.
For DRI topologies, a hold-off timer sets the amount of time before a selector switch occurs. It reduces
the likelihood of multiple switches, such as:
• Both a service selector and a path selector
• Both a line switch and a path switch of a service selector
For example, if an SNCP DRI service selector switch does not restore traffic, then the path selector
switches after the hold-off time. The SNCP DRI hold-off timer default is 100 ms. You can change this
setting in the SNCP Selectors tab of the Edit Circuits window. For an MS-SPRing DRI, if line switching
does not restore traffic, then the service selector switches. The hold-off time delays the recovery
provided by the service selector. The MS-SPRing DRI default hold-off time is 100 ms and cannot be
changed.

8.5.1 MS-SPRing DRI

Unlike MS-SPRing automatic protection switching (APS) protocol, MS-SPRing DRI is a path-level
protection protocol at the circuit level. Drop-and-continue MS-SPRing DRI requires a service selector
in the primary node for each circuit routing to the other ring. Service selectors monitor signal conditions
from dual feed sources and select the one that has the best signal quality. Same-side routing drops the
traffic at primary nodes set up on the same side of the connected rings, and opposite-side routing drops
the traffic at primary nodes set up on the opposite sides of the connected rings. For MS-SPRing DRI,
primary and secondary nodes cannot be the circuit source or destination.

Note A DRI circuit cannot be created if an intermediate node exists on the interconnecting link. However, an
intermediate node can be added on the interconnecting link after the DRI circuit is created.

Figure 8-9 shows ONS 15600 SDHs in a traditional MS-SPRing DRI topology with same-side routing.
In Ring 1, Nodes 3 and 4 are the interconnect nodes, and in Ring 2, Nodes 8 and 9. Duplicate signals are
sent from Node 4 (Ring 1) to Node 9 (Ring 2), and from Node 3 (Ring 1) to Node 8 (Ring 2). The
primary nodes (Nodes 4 and 9) are on the same side, and the secondary nodes (Nodes 3 and 8) provide
an alternative route. In Ring 1, traffic at Node 4 is dropped (to Node 9) and continued (to Node 3).
Similarly, at Node 9, traffic is dropped (to Node 4) and continued (to Node 8).

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8.5.1 MS-SPRing DRI

Figure 8-9 ONS 15600 SDH Traditional MS-SPRing Dual-Ring Interconnect (Same-Side Routing)

Node 1

Node 5 Node 2
MS-SPRing
Ring 1

Primary Secondary
Node Node

Node 4 Node 3

Node 9 Node 8

Primary Secondary
Node Node
MS-SPRing
Ring 2

Node 10 Node 7

Drop and Continue

Node 6
Service Selector

Primary Path, Drop and Continue to Bridge

159570

Secondary Path

Figure 8-10 shows ONS 15600 SDHs in a traditional MS-SPRing DRI topology with opposite-side
routing. In Ring 1, Nodes 3 and 4 are the interconnect nodes, and in Ring 2, Nodes 8 and 9. Duplicate
signals are sent from Node 4 (Ring 1) to Node 8 (Ring 2), and from Node 3 (Ring 1) to Node 9 (Ring 2).
In Ring 1, traffic at Node 4 is dropped (to Node 9) and continued (to Node 3). Similarly, at Node 8,
traffic is dropped (to Node 3) and continued (to Node 9).

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8.5.1 MS-SPRing DRI

Figure 8-10 ONS 15600 SDH Traditional MS-SPRing Dual-Ring Interconnect (Opposite-Side
Routing)

Node 1

Node 5 Node 2
MS-SPRing
Ring 1

Primary Secondary
Node Node

Node 4 Node 3

Node 9 Node 8

Secondary Primary
Node Node
MS-SPRing
Ring 2

Node 10 Node 7

Drop and Continue Node 6

Service Selector

Primary Path, Drop and Continue to Bridge

159569

Secondary Path

Figure 8-11 shows ONS 15600 SDHs in an integrated MS-SPRing DRI topology. The same
drop-and-continue traffic routing occurs at two nodes, rather than four. This is achieved by installing an
additional STM-N trunk at the two interconnect nodes. Nodes 3 and 8 are the interconnect nodes.

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8.5.2 SNCP DRI

Figure 8-11 ONS 15600 SDH Integrated MS-SPRing Dual-Ring Interconnect

Node 1 Node 2

MS-SPRing 1

Primary Secondary

Node 3
Node 4

Node 8
Secondary Primary

Node 5

MS-SPRing 2

Node 7 Node 6

Service Selector

Primary Path (working)

159571
Secondary Path (protection)

8.5.2 SNCP DRI

Figure 8-12 shows ONS 15600 SDHs in a traditional drop-and-continue SNCP DRI topology. In Ring 1,
Nodes 4 and 5 are the interconnect nodes, and in Ring 2, Nodes 6 and 7 are the interconnect nodes.
Duplicate signals are sent from Node 4 (Ring 1) to Node 6 (Ring 2), and from Node 5 (Ring 1) to Node 7
(Ring 2). In Ring 1, traffic at Node 4 is dropped (to Node 6) and continued (to Node 5). Similarly, at
Node 5, traffic is dropped (to Node 7) and continued (to Node 4).

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8.5.2 SNCP DRI

Figure 8-12 ONS 15600 SDH Traditional SNCP Dual-Ring Interconnect

Node 1

SNCP
Node 3 Ring 1 Node 2

Node 4 Node 5

Duplicate
Signals

Node 6 Node 7

SNCP
Ring 2 Pass-through
Node

Bridge
Path Selector
Primary Path—Primary
Primary Path—Secondary
Return Path—Primary
159567

Return Path—Secondary

Figure 8-13 shows ONS 15600 SDHs in an integrated DRI topology. The same drop-and-continue traffic
routing occurs at two nodes, rather than four. This is achieved by installing an addition STM-N trunk at
the two interconnect nodes.

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8.5.3 SNCP/MS-SPRing DRI Handoff Configurations

Figure 8-13 ONS 15600 SDH Integrated SNCP Dual-Ring Interconnect

SNCP 1

Duplicate
Signals
SSXC SSXC

Pass-through
SNCP 2 Node

Bridge
Path Selector
Primary Path—Primary
Primary Path—Secondary
Return Path—Primary
159568

Return Path—Secondary

8.5.3 SNCP/MS-SPRing DRI Handoff Configurations

SNCP rings and MS-SPRings can also be interconnected. In MS-SPRing/SNCP DRI handoff
configurations, primary and secondary nodes can be the circuit source or destination, which is useful
when non-DCC optical interconnecting links are present. Figure 8-14 shows an example of an SNCP
ring to MS-SPRing traditional DRI handoff.

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8.5.3 SNCP/MS-SPRing DRI Handoff Configurations

Figure 8-14 ONS 15600 SDH SNCP to MS-SPRing Traditional DRI Handoff

Node 5 Node 2
Node 1

SNCP

Node 4 Node 3

Node 6 Node 7

SNCP

Node 9
Node 10 Node 8

Path Selector
Bridge
159573

Primary Path (working)

Secondary Path (protection)

Figure 8-15 shows an example of an SNCP ring to MS-SPRing integrated DRI handoff.

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8.6 Subtending Rings

Figure 8-15 ONS 15600 SDH SNCP Ring to MS-SPRing Integrated DRI Handoff

Node 5 Node 2
Node 1

SNCP

Node 4 Node 3

MS-SPRing

Node 7
Node 8 Node 6

Path Selector

Bridge
159572

8.6 Subtending Rings

Subtending rings reduce the number of nodes and cards required and reduce external shelf-to-shelf
cabling. The ONS 15600 SDH supports a maximum of 32 two-fiber MS-SPRings. If all rings have an
STM-64 line rate, the maximum is 16 two-fiber MS-SPRings. Figure 8-16 shows an ONS 15600 SDH
with multiple subtending rings.

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8.6 Subtending Rings

Figure 8-16 ONS 15600 SDH with Multiple Subtending Rings

SNCP SNCP

SNCP
SNCP
or MS-SPRing

SNCP
or
MS-SPRing
159602

Figure 8-17 shows an SNCP ring subtending from an MS-SPRing. In this example, Node 3 is the only
node serving both the MS-SPRing and SNCP ring. STM-N cards in Slots 4 and 12 serve the MS-SPRing,
and STM-N cards in Slots 3 and 13 serve the SNCP ring.

Figure 8-17 SNCP Ring Subtending from an MS-SPRing

Node 4 Node 1
Slot 3 Slot 4
West West

Slot 13 Slot 12
East SNCP Slot 13 East
East Slot 12
East
MS-SPRing
Slot 3
West Slot 4
West
Node 3
Slot 4
West

Slot 12
159603

East
Node 2

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8.7 Extended Subnetwork Connection Protection Networks

The ONS 15600 SDH can support 32 MS-SPRings on the same node. This capability allows you to
deploy an ONS 15600 SDH in applications requiring SDH digital cross-connect systems (DCSs) or
multiple SDH ADMs.
Figure 8-18 shows two MS-SPRings shared by one ONS 15600 SDH. Ring 1 runs on Nodes 1, 2, 3, and
4. Ring 2 runs on Nodes 4, 5, 6, and 7. Two MS-SPRings, Ring 1 and Ring 2, are provisioned on Node 4.
Ring 1 uses cards in Slots 4 and 12, and Ring 2 uses cards in Slots 3 and 13.

Note Nodes in different MS-SPRings can have the same or different node IDs.

Figure 8-18 MS-SPRing Subtending from an MS-SPRing

Node 1 Node 5
Slot 4 Slot 12 Slot 3 East
West East West Slot 13

Slot 12 Slot 4 Slot 13 Slot 3

East West East West

Node 2 MS-SPRing MS-SPRing Node 6

Ring 1 Ring 2

Slot 4 Slot 12 Node 4 Slot 3 Slot 13

West East West East

Slot 12 Slot 4 Slot 13 Slot 3

159601
East West East West
Node 3 Node 7

After subtending two MS-SPRings, you can route circuits from nodes in one ring to nodes in the second
ring. For example, in Figure 8-18 you can route a circuit from Node 1 to Node 7. The circuit would
normally travel from Node 1 to Node 4 to Node 7. If fiber breaks occur, for example between Nodes 1
and 4 and Nodes 4 and 7, traffic is rerouted around each ring: in this example, Nodes 2 and 3 in Ring 1
and Nodes 5 and 6 in Ring 2.

8.7 Extended Subnetwork Connection Protection Networks

In addition to single MS-SPRings, SNCP rings, and ADM configurations, you can extend
ONS 15600 SDH traffic protection by creating extended SNCP networks. On SONET platforms, this is
referred to as path-protected mesh networks (PPMNs). Extended SNCP rings include multiple
ONS 15600 SDH topologies and extend the protection provided by a single SNCP ring to the meshed
architecture of several interconnecting rings. In an extended SNCP ring, circuits travel diverse paths
through a network of single or multiple meshed rings. When you create circuits, CTC automatically
routes circuits across the extended SNCP ring, or you can manually route them. You can also choose
levels of circuit protection. For example, if you choose full protection, CTC creates an alternate route
for the circuit in addition to the main route. The second route follows a unique path through the network
between the source and destination and sets up a second set of cross-connections.

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8.7 Extended Subnetwork Connection Protection Networks

For example, in Figure 8-19, a circuit is created from Node 3 to Node 9. CTC determines that the shortest
route between the two nodes passes through Node 8 and Node 7, shown by the dotted line, and
automatically creates cross-connections at Nodes 3, 8, 7, and 9 to provide the primary circuit path.

Figure 8-19 Extended SNCP Network

Source
Node

Node 3 Node 5
Node 2

Node 4

Node 1

Node 10 Node 8
Node 6

Node 7

c
Protect traffic raffi
king t
Wor
Node 11 Node 9

Destination
= Primary path

78706
Node
= Secondary path

If full protection is selected, CTC creates a second unique route between Nodes 3 and 9 that passes
through Nodes 2, 1, and 11. Cross-connections are automatically created at Nodes, 3, 2, 1, 11, and 9,
shown by the dashed line. If a failure occurs on the primary path, traffic switches to the second circuit
path. In this example, Node 9 switches from the fiber from Node 7 to the fiber from Node 11 and service
resumes. The switch occurs within 50 ms.
Extended SNCP also allows spans of different SDH line rates to be mixed together in virtual rings.
Figure 8-20 shows Nodes 1, 2, 3, and 4 in an STM-64 ring.

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8.8 In-Service Topology Upgrades

Figure 8-20 Extended SNCP Virtual Ring

ONS 15600 SDH ONS 15454 SDH ONS 15600 SDH ONS 15454 SDH
Node 5 Node 1 Node 4 Node 8

STM-16 STM-64 SNCP STM-16

159619
ONS 15454 SDH ONS 15600 SDH ONS 15454 SDH ONS 15600 SDH
Node 6 Node 2 Node 3 Node 7

8.8 In-Service Topology Upgrades

Topology upgrades can be performed while the network is in service to convert a live network to a
different topology. An in-service topology upgrade is potentially service-affecting, and generally allows
a traffic hit of 50 ms or less. Traffic might not be protected during the upgrade. The following in-service
topology upgrades are supported:
• Point-to-point or linear ADM to two-fiber MS-SPRing
• Node addition or removal from an existing topology
You can perform in-service topology upgrades irrespective of the service state of the involved
cross-connects or circuits, however all circuits must have a DISCOVERED status.
ONS 15600 SDH circuit types supported for in-service topology upgrades are:
• Virtual containers (VC)
• Unidirectional and bidirectional
• Automatically routed and manually routed
• CTC-created and TL1-created
• Ethernet (unstitched)
• Multiple source and destination (both sources should be on one node and both drops on one node)
You cannot upgrade stitched Ethernet circuits during topology conversions.

Note A database restore on all nodes in a topology returns converted circuits to their original topology.

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8.8.1 Point-to-Point or Linear ADM to Two-Fiber MS-SPRing

Note Open-ended SNCP and DRI configurations do not support in-service topology upgrades.

8.8.1 Point-to-Point or Linear ADM to Two-Fiber MS-SPRing

A 1+1 point-to-point or linear ADM to two-fiber MS-SPRing conversion is manual. You must remove
the protect fibers from all nodes in the linear ADM and route them from the end node to the protect port
on the other end node. In addition, you must delete the circuit paths that are located in the bandwidth
that will become the protection portion of the two-fiber MS-SPRing (for example, circuits in VC4s 9 and
higher on an STM-16 MS-SPRing) and recreate them in the appropriate bandwidth. Finally, you must
provision the nodes as MS-SPRing nodes. For in-service topology upgrade procedures, refer to the
“Convert Network Configurations” chapter in the Cisco ONS 15600 SDH Procedure Guide.

8.8.2 Add or Remove a Node from a Topology

You can add or remove a node from a linear ADM, MS-SPRing, or SNCP configuration. Adding or
removing nodes from MS-SPRings is potentially service affecting, however adding and removing nodes
from an existing 1+1 linear ADM or SNCP configuration does not disrupt traffic. CTC provides a wizard
for adding a node to a point-to-point or 1+1 linear ADM. This wizard is used when adding a node
between two other nodes. For procedures to add or remove a node, refer to the “Add and Remove Nodes”
chapter in the Cisco ONS 15600 SDH Procedure Guide.

8.9 Overlay Ring Circuits

An overlay ring configuration consists of a core ring and subtended rings (Figure 8-21). An Overlay
Ring Circuit routes traffic around multiple rings in an overlay ring configuration, passing through one
or more nodes more than once. This results in multiple cross-connections on the nodes connecting the
core ring to the subtended rings. For example, a customer having a core ring with cross-connects
provisioned using TL1 can create cross-connects on subtended rings, due to a business need, without
having to hamper the existing cross-connects on the core ring. This circuit can be either protected or
unprotected.
A typical path protected overlay ring configuration is shown in Figure 8-21, where the circuit traverses
the nodes B, D, and F twice resulting in two cross-connections on these nodes for the same circuit. In
Figure 8-21, the circuits on the OC-12 path are unprotected. The DS3 drop traffic is protected on the
drop nodes by provisioning a primary and secondary destination, making it a path protected circuit.

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Figure 8-21 Overlay Ring Circuit

DS3 PASS-THRU

Node C

DS3 PASS-THRU
Node A Node B Node D Node E
DS3 DROP

OC-3 OC-12 OC-3

Path Path Protection Path
Protection Protection

Node F

Subtended Core Subtended

Rings OC-3 Ring Ring
Path
Protection

Node G
DS3 CIRCUIT

223267
OC-3 OVERLAY RING
DS3 DROP

Overlay ring supports circuit sizes; STS-1, 3c, 6c, 9c, 12c, 24c, 36c, 48c, and 192cs. Both unidirectional
and bidirectional circuits are supported. Overlay ring circuits are contiguous concatenated (CCAT) and
not virtual concatenated (VCAT) circuits.
Manual routing is mandatory while provisioning the overlay ring circuit. Overlay ring circuits created
using Transaction Language 1 (TL1) are discovered by CTC and the status “DISCOVERED” is
displayed.
If the overlay ring circuit is deleted, the cross-connects on the core ring and subtended rings get deleted.
Cross-connects on a subtended ring can be deleted through TL1 but would reflect as a partial overlay
ring circuit in CTC, i.e. core ring will continue having cross-connects.

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