A P P L I C AT I O N N O T E

Blueprint for Utility Network

Modernization
Ciena’s 6500 PTS Solves Multiple TDM-to-Packet
Migration Challenges for Investor-Owned Electric Utilities

Investor-Owned (IO) utilities have a networking challenge Benefits

and opportunity. They must evolve away from their • Offers exceptional DS1, DS3,
E1, E3, OC-3/12/48/192,
outdated Time Division Multiplexer (TDM) networks, which STM-1/4/16/64, and
are no longer sustainable, and migrate to modern systems 10/100/1GbE/10GbE/40GbE/100GbE
density to address space
that use packet-networking technologies. Fortunately, the constraints
transition can be smooth and convenient for a utility. And • Preserves TDM service, no
once the packet network is established, the utility can also change to customer end or
revenue, customer experience,
use the infrastructure to offer new revenue-generating, and tariffs
carrier-grade broadband services to the customer base. • L aunches new packet and
CE services, including
The utility industry has multiple reasons for technology migration, in particular the
MEF CE 3.0-certified for
phase-out of many TDM-based technologies utilities use to monitor and control
E-Tree, E-Line, E-LAN,
the grid and provision services. While market forces and technology benefits
E-Access, and E-Transit
are driving the shift to packet networking, utilities are motivated to make the
transition. Packet technologies will enable utilities to use automation and adaptive • Offers Zero-Touch-Provisioning
network techniques to improve Digital Access and Cross-connect System (DACS), (ZTP) for rapid, secure, and error-
Multiservice Provisioning Platform (MSPP), teleprotection, Supervisory Control free turn-up of packet services
and Data Acquisition (SCADA), smart grid, and other mission-critical services. The • Includes advanced packet
improvements will better enable utilities to minimize power line failures, isolate faults, synchronization
and prevent cascading outages to ensure day-to-day reliability of electricity services.

Packet networking is also versatile, offering capacity and advanced features utilities
can use to modernize their networks to improve internal IT processes and diversify
their businesses to create new revenue streams. Already, IO utilities in some regions
are using packet networks to offer IP and Ethernet services for residential and
enterprise customers, and more utilities are expected to pursue similar strategies,
using their new packet infrastructure to offer broadband, cloud-computing, data
center interconnects, and other networking services.
 Main Backup
Control Center Control Center
RTU RTU

TDM TDM
10G 10/100G Packet Packet
G.8032/MPLS G.8032/MPLS 6500 PTS 6500 PTS
Router Router

6500 PTS 6500 PTS

Packet 3926 TDM
Packet 3926 TDM
RTU
RTU

Remote
Substation
Intermediate
Substation

Figure 1. TDM-to-packet IO utilities modernization

Traditional, legacy SONET and SDH approaches cannot fulfill TDM obsolescence challenges: Equipment shortages
these needs because the technology cannot scale to support and skills gaps
packet services, whether for TDM-replacement or new TDM technologies such as SONET, SDH, and PDH have
networking services. Yet running parallel networks to meet served the utility industry for years, but the equipment is often
both requirements is costly and complicated. For operational decades old and nearing end of life. With equipment vendors
and business efficiencies, IO utilities need a data transport building only packet-based technologies, replacements and
system that can provide legacy and packet networking spare parts for TDM products are often difficult to obtain.
services on a single, future-oriented, scalable foundation. Vendor consolidation, often followed by manufacturing
discontinuation of complete product lines, has left very few,
Ciena’s 6500 Packet Transport System (PTS) is a platform that
if any, options to fill empty equipment slots or maintain old
helps solve the challenge of modernizing a utility’s network with
hardware. To make matters worse, legacy products require
a graceful evolution plan. The 6500 PTS is an ultra-high-density
different types of control software that can be hard to update
Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy (PDH), SONET, SDH, and
and impossible to integrate with new solutions.
GbE/10GbE aggregation packet-optical platform. The 6500 PTS
is a major component of Ciena’s TDM-to-packet solutions, which As a result of these trends, the SONET/SDH optical hardware
also includes TDM Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) devices, market, robust a decade ago, will be largely phased out by 2022,
TDM modules, a common Ciena MCP service management, and according to IHS Markit1, and DACS and MSPP components are
Ciena Services. The multiple platforms are available to help both among the leading solutions impacted. IO utilities are already
large and small IO utilities transition DACS and MSPP services to feeling the brunt of discontinued technologies. In-house
packets and deliver broadband services to the market. engineers who are experts in the legacy technologies are older
and retiring, leaving skills gaps among technical teams who
operate and maintain the equipment. IO utilities need convenient
6500 Packet Transport System networking solutions and tools that can support both legacy and
Learn more packet technologies and allow the eventual migration to packet
with minimal disruption on the network.

1 IHS Optical Network Hardware Tracker Q1 2018 (subscription required)

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Ciena’s response for IO utilities: The 6500 PTS from the network, predictive analytics, and network policies
Ciena’s 6500 PTS is purpose-built to address the phase-out to constantly assess operating needs and conditions. MCP
of TDM services with techniques that enable TDM-to-packet removes chaos, returning control of the network and services
migration as well as Ethernet services. Its primary applications back to the operator, making network operations simple,
for utilities include DACS and MSPP replacement and network secure, and highly cost-effective with a single unified approach.
modernization. As soon as the platform is installed for either
Programmability and adaptive networking: The 6500 PTS
of these applications, IO utilities simplify their systems and
is programmable and adaptive, making use of an advanced
gain high-performing packet-optical networks that are also
packet switch fabric to support TDM circuit emulation,
ready to deliver next-generation broadband services.
Ethernet, IP, and MPLS technologies. The 6500 PTS can
Converged solution: One key value of the 6500 PTS is its support any number of new network architectures such as
ability to deliver TDM and packet services on a single, common seamless MPLS or segment routing, which are essential
platform. The solution allows both networking approaches capabilities for modern, scalable, adaptive packet networks.
to coexist as long as necessary while giving utilities the
Service velocity: Ciena’s Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP), also
capability to offer advanced IP and routing capabilities when
available with the 6500 PTS, simplifies device deployment and
they are ready to migrate to packets. The converged approach
system and service turn-up and enables performance testing
simplifies the network and minimizes transition costs.
to be run from the network operations center. This improves
Advanced timing and synchronization: The heartbeat of efficiency and eliminates the need for on-site personnel or
any circuit-based network is timing. The 6500 PTS supports adjunct test equipment. IO utilities can roll out services faster
several timing modes, including an internal clock, BITS, Line, at a lower cost.
Synchronous Ethernet, and 1588v2-Grand Master, boundary,
and ordinary clock support. Selecting a timing solution is a
straightforward and convenient process. Utilities can simply
Ciena’s 6500 PTS for TDM-to-packet migration and
designate the preferred option when they remove their DACSs
service modernization
and MSPPs and deploy the 6500 PTS. The solution even
• A true packet-optical solution: Ultra-dense
allows a utility to use the existing local timing distribution for
10/100/1GbE/10GbE, 40GbE/100GbE connectivity
the legacy systems, so they can maintain the same clock they
previously used. • Key applications for utilities: DACS and MSPP
replacement, network modernization
Packet-optical foundation: Built on Ciena’s 6500 S-Series
• Hardware: 800G packet switch and a portfolio of ultra-
foundation, the 6500 PTS’s key features include an 800G
dense Ethernet and Optical/Ethernet circuit packs,
packet switch that uses the most advanced merchant silicon,
PDH circuit emulation modules, and PDH circuit packs
as well as a family of circuit packs and circuit emulation
modules that enable IO utilities to choose the services they • Programmable and adaptive: Advanced merchant
want to offer. The platform can meet any IO utility’s need for silicon, supporting next-generation packet routing
TDM-to-packet migration, providing connectivity for PDH, • Service velocity: Ciena’s ZTP to simplify deployment
T1/T3, SONET/SDH, ADM/MSPP, and DACS 3/3 and 3/1 while and Ciena’s MCP tools that facilitate software controls
supporting Ethernet and IP protocols. It is energy-efficient and and automation
highly scalable in a compact unit, helping IO utilities reduce
• Efficient: Up to 5x lower power consumption and
requirements for power and floor space.
10x space savings, depending on the application

One network, one management and control system: Ciena’s • High capacity: Up to 4x more TDM circuit emulation
Manage, Control and Plan (MCP) software simplifies multilayer capacity than competing solutions
management and control so engineers can plan, provision, • Future-proof: Supporting TDM business, Ethernet,
and launch both TDM and packet services. It includes software and TDM-to-packet modernization
control and automation tools that leverage data collected

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DACS replacement: Consolidating three components IO utilities will be able to use the packet fabric provided with the
into one 6500 PTS to build a carrier-grade infrastructure immediately,
One of the key applications for an IO utility’s communications establishing the capability to offer Ethernet-based WAN
network is to transport sensor data between substations and services for new, revenue-generating opportunities.
control centers for teleprotection applications. Analog sensor
data containing operational information about the power system MSPP replacement: Centralized processing on a
is typically aggregated at each substation by Remote Terminal flexible, high-capacity packet foundation
Units (RTUs) and sent via DS1 signals to the IO utility’s primary IO utilities have used SONET/SDH-based MSPP solutions for
and back-up control centers, where the traffic is groomed by a years to consolidate services from different types of networks
DACS solution and mapped onto higher-level SONET/SDH links on the same infrastructure. Depending on the their particular
for transmission to intended end-points on the network. operational and business services requirements, IO utilities
have used MSPPs to deliver TDM- as well as Ethernet-based
SONET/SDH SONET/SDH
(OCn/STMn) (OCn/STMn) services for a variety of teleprotection, SCADA, advanced
SONET/ meter reading, and other operational applications, as well as
SDH broadband services and mobile backhaul.
PDH 6500 PTS PDH
(T1/E1, T3/E3) DACS (T1/E1, T3/E3)

Figure 2. 6500 PTS DACS consolidation For the past two decades, MSPP technologies have typically
been deployed at the edge of the metropolitan network. Most
With traditional DACS equipment discontinued by of these systems are aging and have discontinued hardware
manufacturers or reaching end of life, IO utilities can adopt with outdated software. They also take up a lot of space and
6500 PTS as a standalone solution to perform DACS functions. use a lot of power. Letting these platforms continue to rust is
For this application, the PTS uses circuit emulation to ‘switch’ not viable. It also increases risk, because utilities may not have
the DACS services, perform low- and high-level grooming, the ability to update the legacy security software to protect the
packetize the data on the 6500-switch fabric, and send it out network against modern, sophisticated security attacks.
over the utility’s SONET/SDH network to RTUs at intended
substations. Ciena’s 6500 PTS can provide a convenient, secure
replacement for this MSPP applications, whether the utility
IO utilities already using Ciena’s 6500-S8 or 6500-S14 Packet- adopts the platform as an upgrade or new deployment. Utilities
Optical Platform with available slots in the chassis can perform can consolidate multiple MSPPs on the 6500 PTS, saving
the DACS functions on the unit they already have simply by even more space and power, while providing a central point for
upgrading the existing switch fabric card and adding optical grooming and managing all traffic. Traffic can be created and
and PDH circuit packs to the 6500 unit. The 6500 PTS shares terminated for a variety of encapsulation protocols, including
the same 6500-S8, 6500-S14, and switch fabric card, making GFP-F, PoS, FR, MLFR, and PPP. The 6500 PTS solution also
life simpler for technicians and encouraging cost-effective supports end-to-end Ethernet services and transporting all
re-use of the equipment as spares. traffic via the packet network to its destinations.

In both new deployment and upgrade scenarios, IO utilities The 6500 PTS can consolidate substantial volumes of MSPP
that use the 6500 PTS are able to eliminate three legacy DACS traffic, ensuring the capacity to support multiple services and
functions at each control center: 1) multiple DACS units that scale capacity to meet growing demand. Along with providing
perform low- and high-level grooming; 2) TDM platforms used MSPP services, utilities that deploy the 6500 PTS platform can
for DS-1 handoffs to DACS units; and 3) TDM platforms used take advantage of its advanced technologies to offer high-
to aggregate DS1 traffic from the network. The 6500 PTS can performance broadband services to the market.
accommodate 1,000-2,000 DS1s depending on which chassis
is used (8- or 14-slot). GFP-F, PPP, etc.

IO utilities that adopt solution for DACS gain a future-oriented Ethernet SONET/ Ethernet
SDH
technology that will provide long-term value to the IO utility,
6500 PTS
MSPP
even after the utility upgrades its RTUs to packets. Better yet,
Figure 3. 6500 PTS MSPP consolidation

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Network modernization: A future-proof platform for For example, Pseudowire Emulation (PWE) technologies can
broadband services be used to continue TDM services alongside packet services
The 6500 PTS is a foundation for network modernization. until the legacy technology is no longer necessary.
IO utilities that adopt the solution for DACS, MSPP, or both
Ciena implements PWE capability with SFP devices that are easily
applications can adopt the platform to operate a next-
added to packet networking solutions. The SFP devices make
generation packet-optical network that can use MPLS
use of PWE to create a virtual, dedicated lane for TDM services
and Ethernet switching techniques and advanced routing
(such as teleprotection traffic) on the infrastructure that can
capabilities. IO utilities can use the MPLS switch to modernize
also carry packet-based traffic for video surveillance and other
their TDM networks, enabling migration of TDM services to an
newer applications. The pluggable devices are useful when
MPLS-protected core network. The 6500 PTS operates as a
legacy traffic requires just a few ports at a given service end-point.
standard MPLS switch for transport and switching of Ethernet
services and a pathway to future IP services.

MCP
MPLS Control Plane
SONET/SDH SONET/SDH
(OCn/STMn) (OCn/STMn) TDM
TDM SFP
Ethernet MPLS Ethernet
TDM SFP
PDH PDH 10GbE/1GbE
6500 PTS 6500 PTS Limited SFP/SFP+
(T1/E1, T3/E3) (T1/E1, T3/E3)
TDM SFP Aggregation
39XX
Figure 4. 6500 PTS network modernization TDM
TDM SFP Packet Network 51XX
1+1 (with SyncE/1588v2)
MSP
As most telecommunications operators have demonstrated, 39XX
TDM SFP Ultra-Dense TDM
the transition to packet-based architectures offers a means Aggregation
to access and scale connectivity for legacy services. This is TDM
6500 PTS
becoming a critical capability for those who need to maintain 39XX
productivity while reducing costs and enabling delivery of Figure 5. Ciena TDM-to-packet SFP packet edge solution
TDM services.

IO utilities, too, will find that the modernized network will If more TDM end-points are needed, Ciena’s 3926 Platform
position their organizations to offer carrier-grade, revenue- offers 82 Gb/s of non-blocking capacity in a compact one
generating WAN services, including high-quality gigabit- rack unit (1 RU) platform. The 3926 future proofs the edge with
broadband services for residential and enterprise customers, a field-replaceable module for TDM service and, when the IO
cloud services, data center interconnect services, voice, video, utility is ready, can provide distributed Virtual Network Function
and even mobile backhaul. IO utilities that use the 6500 PTS (VNF) hosting on an Intel x86 server module.
to deploy broadband services can have confidence they will
be able to offer standards-based, commercially competitive
services without restrictions or compromise. They will have to
evolve with the market and capacity to grow their businesses. MCP
Solutions for smaller IO utilities T1/E1
Limited SFP/SFP+
Smaller IO utilities that may not need the capacity of the Aggregation
10GbE/1GbE
Packet Network
6500 PTS for current or future services can use various 3926 PWE: 51XX

Ciena TDM-to-packet solutions to keep their legacy MEF8

CESoPSN
networks up and operating as they migrate to packets. T1/E1 SAToP
Ultra-Dense TDM
Aggregation
10GbE/1GbE
3926 6500 PTS

Figure 6. Ciena’s 3926 platform

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Both of these solutions, as well as the 6500 PTS, minimize Summary
OPEX and accelerate service velocity with Ciena’s ZTP for In light of their out-of-date DACS and MSPP equipment, utilities
service turn-up while providing line-rate, built-in service cannot continue maintaining legacy networks. As they grapple
activation testing with no additional cost or equipment. with the implications, utilities face another equally important
issue: they must support newer packet interfaces and service
Ensuring a smooth migration with Ciena Services bandwidth demands. Ciena’s TDM-to-packet solutions,
Given the critical nature of their infrastructure, IO utilities including the 6500 PTS, allow utilities to continue providing
must take particular caution when migrating from TDM to TDM business services, remove aging DACS and MSPP
packets and modernizing their infrastructures. equipment, and modernize their networks to offer Ethernet
residential and business services. Utilities can leverage Ciena’s
For utilities that do not have in-house expertise to engineer Professional Services for a comprehensive audit revealing
or plan their migration and modernization strategies, Ciena what is in their network, migration planning and deployment
Professional Services is available to help. The consulting services, and even maintenance assistance if needed.
team can perform audits to create a comprehensive view of
the network, help the utility develop a new network design Ciena provides both the technology foundation as well as the
and migration plan, and craft a strategy for deploying new tools utilities need to solve their most pressing TDM-to-packet
equipment and migrating to new services. Ciena can also evolution challenges. Contact Ciena to learn how you can
provide staff and training to help company teams learn how get started today on the path to a modern and versatile utility
to operate and manage their new infrastructure and services. communications network.

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and do not imply a partnership between Ciena and any other company. Copyright © 2020 Ciena® Corporation. All rights reserved. AN140 5.2020