KomNet-optical transport and networking technologies for the broadband Internet

Under the framework of the German F&E-initiative KomNet a consortium of industrial partners, co-operating research institutes and a network operator is developing and examining key technologies needed for the implementation of future multi-vendor DWDM communication networks. This paper illustrates the scope of the program as well as research targets originally defined or added during the period of the projects and summarises experimental results. The KomNet demonstrator topology is sketched, and already conducted field trials are outlined.