ABSTRACT: This document replaces GR-1375.

GR-2996, Issue 1 provides the view of Telcordia on proposed generic criteria for Synchronous Optical NETwork Digital Cross-Connect Systems (SONET DCS's). SONET DCS's play a key role in service providers' broadband voice and data networks in terms of traffic grooming, traffic consolidation, test access, ring interconnection, network survivability, and providing a network flexibility point (gateway) for both transport interconnection and operations activities.

This GR describes features and functions for a DCS using SONET as its core, cross-connect fabric technology. It covers requirements (both network and operations) for Network Elements (NEs) providing SONET DCS functions. It is focused mainly on criteria for multilevel SONET Time Division Multiplexing (TDM)-based cross-connect fabrics, but does identify a potential evolutionary path for supporting multifabric DCS's in the future. To allow SDH and SONET interconnection (as SDH/SONET international gateway), the ability to cross-connect SDH mappings, that are compatible with SONET mappings, by a SONET cross-connect fabric is also addressed in this GR.

This GR also updates TR-NWT-000233, Issue 3, November 1993 (Wideband and Broadband Digital Cross-Connect Systems Generic Criteria) for SONET DCS criteria. Therefore, refer to GR-2996 for these criteria. For non-SONET or asynchronous DCS technology, such as DCS 3/1, EDSX 1/1 or EDSX 3/3, still refer to TR-NWT-000233.

This GR also includes one or more Issue List Reports (ILRs) that details open or closed technical issues in the main document. The ILR(s) are automatically sent free of charge to the GR document purchaser.