The emergence of OXCs represents a watershed in optical networking, as it enables point-to-point wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology to evolve into a next-generation transport platform. High-capacity, point-to-point trunks can now be deployed strategically as part of a true optical-networking solution. In addition to providing advanced routing capabilities, OXCs enable this functionality to be controlled by software and managed centrally. By leveraging the capabilities that OXCs provide, a mesh network can be built utilizing myriad point-to-point solutions and managed entirely at the optical layer. Metropolitan dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) may easily be deployed in advance of the OXC, in anticipation of its arrival in the network as the first wave of deployment. This will allow the operator to build where capacity is needed and add the OXC later, as revenue and complexity demand (see Figure 2).

Figure 2. DWDM Mesh Enabled by OXC