Table of Contents:

Definition and Overview

1. Introduction to SONET

2. Why Synchronize?

3. Frame Format Structure

4. Overheads

5. Pointers

6. SONET Multiplexing

7. SONET Network Elements

8. SONET Network Configurations

9. What Are the Benefits of SONET?

10. SDH Reference

11. SONET Reference Materials

Self-Test

Glossary

PDF of this tutorial

Definition
Synchronous optical network (SONET) is a standard for optical telecommunications transport formulated by the Exchange Carriers Standards Association (ECSA) for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), which sets industry standards in the U.S. for telecommunications and other industries. The comprehensive SONET standard is expected to provide the transport infrastructure for worldwide telecommunications for at least the next two or three decades.

Overview
This tutorial provides an introduction to the SONET standard. Standards in the telecommunications field are always evolving. Information in this SONET primer is based on the latest information available from the Bellcore and International Telecommunications Union–Telecommunications Standardization Sector (ITU–T) standards organizations.

Use this primer as an introduction to the technology of SONET. If more detailed information is required, consult the latest material from Bellcore and ITU–T, paying particular attention to the latest date.

For help in understanding the language of SONET telecommunications, a comprehensive acronym guide is provided.