Optical Networking Best Practices Handbook

A.3. FUTURE MODE OF OPERATION

The enterprise has decided to consider two alternative solutions [or future modes of operation (FMOs)] to provide the increased bandwidth necessary for the centralization program. The first alternative (FMO 1) is to simply grow the existing managed ATM service. The second alternative (FMO 2) is to replace the existing managed ATM service with a managed optical Ethernet service [1].

A.3.1. FMO 1: Grow the Existing Managed ATM Service

As can be seen from Figure A.2, growing the existing managed ATM service requires upgrading the existing network to higher speed connections [1]. The advantage of FMO 1 is that other than adding new interface cards to existing routers, or at some sites upgrading the router as well, FMO 1 does not require significant changes to the current network configuration. By upgrading the network connections, the enterprise can realize an immediate 100% increase in available bandwidth for data transport.

Figure A.2. ATM high-bandwidth network.

The enterprise is concerned, however, that the 87% increase in the cost of managed bandwidth associated with FMO 1 (as compared with the cost of bandwidth under the PMO) will result in the same out-of-control IT budget linked with the continuation of its decentralized computing architecture. The enterprise is also concerned with the long lead times that are required to provision additional ...