So what exactly is the difference between the line side and client side of the n

etwork?

The client side of the network is where traffic will come on-ramp into the optic
al backbone. In this case the client side interface will be used to interconnect
between the metro networks and the optical backbone. So why is that important?
Anytime there is this type of interconnection it is implied that devices of diff
erent types are going to be interconnected. For example a router might be connec
ted to the transport core, or a metro network scaled device might be connecting
to the transport core. In either of these cases not only could the device be dif
ferent but they could be from separate vendors. The other use case for the clien
t interface is exactly what it says in the name the client connection. When a ser
vice provider is providing connectivity to a CPE premise this will again be on t
he client side of the network.
Bearing all this in mind it is imperative that there is an agreed and standardis
ed interface that is being used for the network interconnection. Therefore when
we consider a client interface we can be sure that we are going to be presented
with a standardised interface of some description. Typical examples could be a C
FP, SFP or XFP interface presentation and of course these would depend on the se
rvice being carried and at what bit rate they are being offered,

So what exactly is the line side? The line side interface is the higher rate int
erface that is used for the backbone network. Consider a typical optical backbon
e network. It will have generally have particular characteristics regardless of
where it is deployed
It will utilise proven transport technologies such as SDH or OTN
It will utilise high capacity optical links between major metro hubs
The network vendor will be consistent for each network
Metro networks will interconnect across the backbone from a client interface

Consider the third item:

The network vendor will be consistent for each network
This is a crucial difference when compared to the client side. As there will be
no other network vendors or network devices on this part of the network it is no
longer a requirement for a standardised interface to be deployed. Therefore a v
endor will be free to deploy any technologies they develop on this interface in
order to meet the needs of their customer. Depending on technology deployed thi
s could include utilising non-standard FEC algorithms, out of band signalling or
other proprietary technologies.
In terms of 100Gb/s networks the big differentiator is the modulation technology
and DWDM channel scheme used on this line side interface. These technologies wi
ll be discussed in later articles.