Special vs Custom vs Standard? Choosing the Building Blocks-6
Continuing from last week, let us today explore another aspect of building blocks.
If one building block was a good choice yesterday, will it be a good choice today?
I guess, I do not have to say much. We all know the answer and the answer is:
- Yes
- No
- Maybe
- I do not know
Well it depends! One needs to evaluate again. And only then can one answer this question. Different vendors keep on pushing different types of network splits based on their own interests and understanding of network evolution. Let us take one specific example: IP and Optics split.
Where does the IP stop and where does the Optics begin? Cisco some years back pushed IP over DWDM quite hard. They integrated the Stratalight optics into their routers. They professed IP Optics integration at every technical forum and some of the telco’s fell for it. It did not really go main stream.
Then few years back they pushed it again in the name of SDN controlled integrated IP and Optics domain. What they did actually is lock the operator onto Cisco and some Operators fell for it again. One must realize that integration of two layers, when it means a single vendor even with SDN, shows that the technology is yet to mature and that the ecosystem for proper integration does not exist. One will have to deal with some proprietary stuff, get locked in and be looted later. All in the name of simplicity.
Now Cisco is acquiring Acacia and are talking about IP over DWDM again. Is it real this time?
We will examine this in more detail next week, so stay tuned!