Short for Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing, an optical
technology used to increase bandwidth over existing fiber optic backbones. DWDM
works by combining and transmitting multiple signals simultaneously at
different wavelength on the same fiber. In effect, one fiber is transformed
into multiple virtual fibers. So, if you were to multiplex eight OC-48 signals
inti one fiber, you would increase the carrying capacity of that fiber from 2.5
Gb/s to 20 Gb/s.
Currently, because of DWDM, single fiber have been able to
transmit data at speeds up to 400 Gb/s. A key advantage to DWDM is that it’s
protocol-and bita-rate-independent. DWDM-based
netwoks can transmit data in IP, ATM, SONET/SDH, and Ethernet, and
handle bit rates between 100 Mb/s and 2.5 Gb/s. Therefore, DWDM-based networks
can carry different types of traffic at different speeds over an optical
channel.
From a QqSstandpoint, DWDM-base networks creat a lower cost way to quickly respond to customers’ bandwidth demands and protocol changes.
Source : www.webopedia.com