SDWAN over SONET: A Gen3 Approach to Deliver IP Services for OT Networks

While many utilities have replaced their SONET systems with MPLS, there still exist a large number of SONET systems that support mission-critical OT traffic. SONET remains one of the best ways for carrying deterministic TDM traffic that is required for tele-protection traffic. Yet IP services continue to increase, causing some operators to seek solutions that don’t require the displacement of their dependable SONET assets. This session makes the case for and then presents a strategy for deploying SDWAN as an overlay to SONET (underlay). As a result, TDM and IP services (and their corresponding support teams) are both optimized.

Many utilities are rethinking their Field Area Network strategies. Several have taken steps to build Private-LTE. Cat-M is shaping up to be a leading contender to transition between 4G and 5G. SGP.32 emerged, changing the SIM landscape. SDWAN is now being deployed in OT environments, and SDFAN might be next. Or will it be SSE?