MUPBED - Interworking Challenges in a Multi- Domain and Multi-Technology Network Environment Hans-Martin Foisel 1 , Jan Spaeth 2 , Carlo Cavazzoni 3 , Henrik Wessing 4 , Mikhail Popov 5 1 Hans-Martin Foisel, T-Systems/Deutsche Telekom, Goslarer Ufer 35, D-10589 Berlin, Germany, Hans-Martin.Foisel@t-systems.com 2 Jan Späth, Ericsson, Gerberstr. 33, 71522 Backnang, Germany 3 Carlo Cavazzoni, Telecom Italia, Via G. Reiss Romoli 274, I-10148 Torino, Italy 4 Henrik Wessing, Technical University of Denmark, Bldg. 343, Oersteds Plads, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark 5 Mikhail Popov, Acreo AB, Electrum 239, SE-164 40 Kista, Sweden Abstract. Today’s data transport networks are evolving continuously towards customer oriented and application aware networks. This evolution happens in Europe in a highly diverse network environment, covering multiple network domains, layers, technologies, control and management approaches. In this paper, the issues, challenges and the solutions developed in the IST project MUPBED („Multi-Partner European Test Beds for Research Networking“; www.ist-mupbed.eu) for seamless interworking in a typical European heterogeneous network environment are described, addressing horizontal, inter- domain, and vertical, inter-layer topics related to data plane, control plane and applications. Keywords: ASON/GMPLS, Test Network, Multi-Domain, Multi-Layer, Interworking, Intelligent Optical Networks I. Introduction Seamless interworking in a heterogeneous and fast evolving multi-domain, multi- layer, multi-technology network environment is one of the top challenges network operators are facing today, indifferent of their background, e.g. incumbent, newcomer, local or global player, commercial or research network service provider. Additionally, the customer and application awareness of the networks have to be increased, the network flexibility enhanced leading to provisioning of so-called “On- Demand Network Services”. This network scenario fits very well to the current European network environment and will most likely also be applicable to the foreseeable future. Solutions to cope with these network environments are based on the data plane level on standards of ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union – Telecommuni- cation Standardization Sector) and IE and Electronics I. Tomkos et al. (Eds.): ONDM 2007, LNCS 4534, pp. 269–2 8, 2007. © IFIP International Federation for Information Processing 2007 7