SONET ring

The architecture used in SONET technology. SONET rings, known as "self-healing rings," use two or more transmission paths between network nodes, which are typically digital cross-connects (DCSs) or add/drop multiplexers (ADMs). If there is a break in one line, the other may still be available, providing the second is not in close proximity to the first and also damaged. For the best security against failure, when possible, different physical routes are used for the two lines. The most fault-tolerant architecture is the four-fiber bi-directional ring. See SONET.

Two Fiber Unidirectional

This is the simplest SONET ring topology. All data are transmitted on the working or active path, while the standby path (protection path) lies in waiting. When a failure in the active path occurs, the two network nodes affected immediately switch to the standby line. Four fibers may used in a unidirectional system, but it is not usually done.

Two Fiber Bidirectional

In this architecture, traffic flows in both directions, but half the capacity of the line is used as a data channel and the other half for protection. In the event of failure, the alternate line takes up the slack.

Four Fiber Bidirectional

This is the most robust architecture which can withstand multiple failures providing the lines are routed in different locations. Both active and standby paths are duplicated in this topology, which is common in large carrier networks that cannot afford a breakdown.

Copyright © 1981-2025 by The Computer Language Company Inc. All Rights reserved. THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) Ethernet SONET Ring Connectivity SONET Point-to-Point Connectivity Managed Internet Services

INTEGRA WINS CONTRACTS FOR ETHERNET SERVICES

The SONET ring interconnects multiple business locations designated by A to transmit telecommunications among A's business locations without transmitting them to Z's PSTN.

Guidance on characterizing gross receipts from telecommunications services

And instead of a SONET ring, the metropolitan backbone for Optical Ethernet networks will be based on the 10G bit/sec Ethernet standard now being completed in the IEEE working group 802.3ae.

Optical Ethernet for metropolitan nets

The SONET ring infrastructure supports traditional private line, transport for Ethernet private line, and Ethernet packet ring services delivered to Deltacom's business and enterprise customers and to its Interstate FiberNet wholesale customers.

Alcatel-Lucent provides optical transport solution to Deltacom

The network's diversely routed SONET ring architecture provides the highest availability and security of any commercial communication system for the state of Alaska.

Alaska's new connection to the lower 48: bigger, better, faster connection will serve for decades

To support this application, the medical center upgraded its network from an OC-48 SONET ring to a multi-gigabit Ethernet network using redundant dual paths including Optimum Lightpath's and another carrier's dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM) core optical backbones.

Light speed data: a New York medical center utilizes fiber optics to leverage its extensive IT infrastructure for near-instant data transmission

360networks' SONET Ring is a fully meshed architecture designed to provide complete redundancy and enable the company to reliably provide a high level of service to its customers.

360NETWORKS EXPANDS ITS PREMIUM VOIP NETWORK INTO IOWA

The SONET ring system will provide alternate circuits for communications in the event of a network disruption and ensure that Republic Services can continue business operations.

AT&T HELPS REPUBLIC IMPROVE WASTE COLLECTION WITH NETWORK

Amenities include abundant on-site parking, a fullservice cafeteria, redundant power feeds and SONET ring with multiple telecommunications providers.

JLL leasing Class A Florham Park space

"We required the most reliable and secure network that we could find." This solution consolidates the hospital's applications onto one platform, and securely transports data between its main facility and a hosting center across a protected OC-48 SONET ring.

Secure network

(See page 25.) This consists of a regional/national SONET ring and a Metro access SONET ring.

Storage over SONET/SDH connectivity. (Internet)