Quick Takeaways
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Introduction of TAPI Standard: ZTE Corporation, in collaboration with industry partners, proposed and initiated the Transport Application Programming Interface (TAPI) standard to address interoperability challenges in Software Defined Networks (SDN).
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G.7702 Architecture: The TAPI standard is linked to ITU-T’s G.7702 recommendation, providing a unified architecture for managing multi-vendor transport network SDN controllers, enhancing network control and management.
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Successful Deployments and Testing: ZTE completed TAPI interface tests with China Unicom, achieving rapid service provisioning in live networks, and has actively participated in interoperability tests organized by ONF and OIF.
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Future of AI All-Optical Networks: ZTE aims to leverage TAPI for enhancing all-optical networks through AI, focusing on technical collaboration and rich application development to facilitate the next-generation intelligent network paradigm.
ZTE Leads Initiative for New TAPI Standard
ZTE Corporation, a key player in information and communication technology, recently achieved a significant milestone. In collaboration with various operators and industry organizations, ZTE proposed the Transport Application Programming Interface (TAPI) standard. This proposal received approval during a session of ITU-T Study Group 15. The TAPI standard aims to create a unified interface specification that addresses interoperability challenges among different vendors’ equipment at the software-defined networking (SDN) controller layer.
Consequently, this initiative lays a robust foundation for operators eager to build open and decoupled SDN networks. The groundwork for this development rests on G.7702, a recommendation by ITU-T that outlines necessary architecture and functional requirements for transport network SDN controllers. Moreover, TAPI acts as a northbound interface, connecting SDN controllers to upper-layer applications. This design enables programmability and automates control of transport networks, ensuring a more organized and efficient system.
Significant Advancements for Future Networks
The TAPI standard has already gained acclaim within the industry, standing out as the interface standard with the most interoperability tests conducted. Organizations like the Open Networking Foundation (ONF) and the Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) have facilitated these tests, attracting global operators and equipment manufacturers. Notably, in China, ZTE successfully completed TAPI northbound interface tests in collaboration with China Unicom’s SD-OTN orchestrator. This successful deployment demonstrates rapid service configuration and management across multi-control domain scenarios.
Furthermore, TAPI’s initiation builds on ongoing technical advancements and collaborative efforts among various industry partners. The standard will encompass key concepts, architectures, and functions, ensuring alignment between SDN and TAPI. As a result, this will provide practical guidelines for SDN interfaces, enhancing operational efficiency and service quality across multi-vendor ecosystems. Moving ahead, ZTE plans to innovate within the realm of all-optical networks powered by AI. This strategic direction aims to enrich TAPI interface applications, ultimately supporting global operators in creating a more intelligent and optimally functioning next-generation network system.
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