Principles of Synchronous Digital Hierarchy

445Emerging Systems and the Future of SDH

14.5 New-Generation Network Elements

14.5.1 Multiservice Provisioning Platform

This is the basic element of a next-generation SDH network. In the discussion

so far in this chapter, we had many times referred to the SDH node having

V-CAT, LCAS, and GFP capabilities. All such nodes are called MSPPs. In

addition to the SDH with features such as V-CAT, LCAS, and GFP, the MSPP,

in keeping with its name, provides services such as Ethernet, packet multi-

plexing and switching, and sometimes has WDM capability as well. MSPPs

are generally robust carrier class equipment.

14.5.2 Multiservice Switching Plat