A methodology to SDH networks design using optimization tools

The introduction of SDH/SONET has been one of the more significant changes in the telecommunications industry in recent years. Among many topologies enabled, SDH rings and chains have been widely used to implement inter-office transport networks. In large metropolitan areas, however, those topologies have to be deployed in a two-layered hierarchy-a backbone layer, that routes STM-1 modules, and a peripheral layer, that routes E1/T1 channels. This paper presents a methodology to design such networks with an extensive use of optimization models in an interactive way, through a specialized decision support system. The mathematical models embedded in that system and an application to a real network are also presented.