Broadband Metro-Area Network Technologies, Planning And Construction

Broadband metro-area network (MAN) is a communication service carrier network, which covers the range of a large city. The communication services include not only traditional Internet services but also the multi-media communication services. Broadband MAN is the extension of backbone Internet that provides the inter-connections in the range of the whole country and even overseas. Besides the Internet extension, the broadband MAN also provides the access means for services platforms and end users. Traffic of various kinds of network services, which are among end users, or among platforms, or between end users and platforms, will flow through the broadband MAN. As the carrier of communication services, broadband MAN must face the challenges from the burst of new Internet services, and it should be manageable and scalable.Broadband MANs are mostly based on IP technology and the services are realized over IP networks. With the maturity of IP technologies, broadband MAN has become the critical basic infrastructure.This paper gives a description and research on the basic concept, functionality and network architecture of broadband MAN, and introduces the critical technologies involved in the broadband MAN. It analyzes the existing circumstances, services requirements, technologies and schemes of the broadband MAN of Beijing Unicom, based on the instance of Beijing Unicom IP MAN Construction Project, in which the author participated. In the project, the author takes charge of the study of construction schemes and engineering design, including schemes discussion, feasibility study, invitation for bids, engineering design, and project implementation. In the end of the paper, the author analyzes the effect of the construction projects and summarizes the construction methodology and experience of broadband MAN. The author also provides the prospect and trends of future broadband MAN.