The third chapter covers how network interconnection may occur and how the management and control features may be implemented. Four basic topologies are described, each with its salient features highlighted. It is interesting to note that many commercial implementations, especially from traditional telecom providers, tend to follow the simpler topologies, while we are beginning to see newer telecom providers utilizing the more robust topologies. Chapter 4 discusses what the authors consider enabling technology. To a large degree, these enabling technologies are the basic components of an optical system, for example, fibers, amplifiers, transmitters, and receivers.
Crosstalk is mentioned in particular.
What is fairly intriguing here is that the authors have extensive bibliographies at the end of each chapter, and they include a series of problems that are left as an exercise to the reader. The eighth chapter touches on the concepts involved with survivability and restoration of service. This chapter should help the practical network engineer in understanding most of the possible failure modes. In the last chapter, the authors look at current trends, and they try to predict business drivers for WDM deployment. Once again, they show their true colors as academics when they close with a statement on the importance of testbeds.