ZTE Corporation, a leading global ICT provider, has successfully initiated a significant development in optical networking by advancing the Transport Application Programming Interface (TAPI) standard. This development, in partnership with key industry players and organizations, is set to revolutionize interoperability across Software Defined Network (SDN) controllers. The approval by ITU-T Study Group 15 (SG15) marks a major step towards open, intelligent all-optical networks.

The TAPI standard addresses challenges in interoperability at the SDN controller layer, providing a unified interface specification that streamlines the management of multi-vendor equipment. With the key recommendation G.7702, developed by ITU-T, the SDN control architecture for transport networks is clearly outlined, ensuring uniform control of network resources and status.

The integration of TAPI as a northbound interface standard facilitates automated control and programmability of transport networks, optimizing them for service applications. This logically centralized control over transport functions lays the foundation for a flexible and intelligent network architecture.

ZTE has demonstrated the efficacy of TAPI through comprehensive tests with China Unicom’s SD-OTN orchestrator, revealing its potential in live network deployments. This initiative allows rapid service configuration and management across diverse control domains, reinforcing the standard’s robustness.

Supported by industry collaboration, the TAPI standard aligns closely with the strategic mapping of SDN concepts and architectures. This alignment ensures seamless interoperability among equipment from multiple vendors, boosting network efficiency and service quality.

Looking ahead, ZTE plans to innovate further in AI-driven all-optical networking, aiming to enrich TAPI applications and explore avant-garde uses. This commitment promises to enhance global operator capabilities in developing cutting-edge, next-generation optical networks.