optical network node (ONN)

Optical network nodes (ONN) are network components of the optical core network, functionally comparable to a switching node in conventionally structured networks.

Optical network nodes are meshed together via optical fibers, they can generate and decode DWDM and WDM signals and have switching and routing functionality.

The connection from the optical core network to the metropolitan network or to the access network is made via appropriate interfaces. These can be transitions from Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) to Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing( CWDM), or standardized interfaces for Gigabit Ethernet and 10 Gigabit Ethernet.

An optical network node can be formed by a terabit router, for example.