Explanation
A Nominal Route in a GMPLS network is the optimal path that meets the Traffic Engineering (TE) constraints for a given LSP request. A Nominal Route is calculated by the NFM-T using the Constrained Shortest Path First (CSPF) algorithm, which takes into account parameters such as bandwidth, latency, priority, protection type, and other QoS attributes. A Nominal Route is stored in the NFM-T database and can be used to provision LSPs over the network. A Nominal Route can differ from the Current Route, which is the actual path that the LSP is taking at a given time, due to network changes or failures. References : Nokia GMPLS-controlled Optical Networks Course | Nokia, Nokia Advanced Optical Network Management with NFM-T Course | Nokia

Explanation
SFD is not a GMPLS protocol, but a term used in optical networks to refer to the Source Frequency Definition, which is a parameter that specifies the frequency of a wavelength channel4. GMPLS protocols are those that enable the control and management of different types of switching technologies, such as packet, wavelength, fiber, and time-slot switching5. Some examples of GMPLS protocols are OSPF-TE, RSVP-TE, and LMP. OSPF-TE is a routing protocol that advertises the topology and the link attributes of the network6.
RSVP-TE is a signaling protocol that establishes, modifies, and releases LSPs. LMP is a link management protocol that verifies the connectivity and monitors the status of the links. References:
* 4: Source Frequency Definition (SFD) – ITU
* 5: Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching – Wikipedia
* 6: OSPF Extensions in Support of Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) – RFC 4203
* [7]: Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) Signaling Resource Reservation Protocol-Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE) Extensions – RFC 3473
* [8]: Link Management Protocol (LMP) – RFC 4204

Explanation
Constrained Shortest Path First (CSPF) is an extension of the shortest path first (SPF) algorithm that is used to find the best path for a Label Switched Path (LSP) in a GMPLS network. CSPF takes into account additional constraints such as bandwidth, latency, priority, or node or link inclusion or exclusion. CSPF works by pruning those links that do not meet the specified constraints and then applying the SPF algorithm to the remaining links. This way, CSPF can find a path that satisfies both the shortest distance and the constraints. References : Constrained Shortest Path First – Wikipedia, Constrained Shortest Path First (CSPF) – Metaswitch

Explanation
The SNC state is a parameter that indicates the status of a resource in a GMPLS network. A resource can be a link, a wavelength, a timeslot, or a fiber. The SNC state can have different values, such as N, n, P, p, R, r, and so on. Each value has a specific meaning and implication for the resource and the LSP that uses it. The SNC state of lower case “n” means that the resource is the nominal resource on a TE-link that is notin use. A nominal resource is the default or preferred resource that is assigned to an LSP when it is created. A TE-link is a logical link that represents a set of resources that share the same attributes and constraints. A TE-link can have multiple resources, such as wavelengths or timeslots, but only one of them can be the nominal resource.
If an LSP is using a resource other than the nominal resource on a TE-link, it means that the LSP has been rerouted or switched due to a failure or a constraint violation. In this case, the SNC state of the nominal resource will be “n”, indicating that it is not in use by any LSP12. References:
* 1: Nokia GMPLS-controlled Optical Networks Course | Nokia
* 2: Nokia Network Functions Manager for Transport User Guide | Nokia

Explanation
The 3R resource is a type of optical regeneration resource that can be used to extend the reach of optical signals in a GMPLS-controlled optical network. The 3R resource performs three functions: reshaping, retiming, and reamplifying the optical signal. The 3R resource can be added to the Network Planning Application (NPA) in the Nokia Network Functions Manager for Transport (NFM-T) through the Constraint Wizard. The Constraint Wizard is a tool that allows the user to define various constraints and parameters for the network design, such as optical impairments, wavelength availability, protection schemes, and regeneration resources. The user can select the 3R resource from the list of available resources and specify its location, capacity, and cost. The NPA then uses this information to perform feasibility checks and path computation for the LSP requests12. References:
* 1: Nokia GMPLS-controlled Optical Networks Course | Nokia
* 2: Nokia Network Functions Manager for Transport User Guide | Nokia

Explanation
Automation is one of the key features of GMPLS that allows dynamic provisioning of optical transport connections between IP routers and optical network elements2. Automation reduces the operational time and administrative overhead required to provision new connectivity, which in turn reduces the operational expenditure (OPEX) of the network. Reducing CAPEX, providing resilience against multiple failures, and supporting multi-vendor networks are not direct benefits of automation, but rather possible outcomes of using GMPLS in general. References:
* 1: Nokia GMPLS-controlled Optical Networks Course | Nokia
* 2: GMPLS – Nokia
* 3: Traffic survivability through Protection and Restoration Combined (PRC) – YouTube
* [4]: GMPLS: Architecture and Applications – Google Books

Explanation
The Wait for Server Restoration (WSR) parameter in the MRN is a boolean parameter that determines whether an LI service should wait for the LO restoration or not in case of a failure.When WSR is false, the LI services do not wait for the LO restoration and restore through LI switching. This means that if an LO optical channel fails, the LI services that use that channel will switch to another available optical channel at LI layer without waiting for the LO layer to restore the failed channel. This option provides faster restoration time for LI services, but may result in suboptimal resource utilization at LO layer. When WSR is true, the LI services wait for the LO restoration and do not switch at LI layer. This means that if an LO optical channel fails, the LI services that use that channel will remain in that channel until the LO layer restores it or until a timeout occurs.
This option provides optimal resource utilization at LO layer, but may result in longer restoration time for LI services. References : Nokia GMPLS-controlled Optical Networks Course | Nokia, 3. GMPLS – Nokia

Explanation
The Shutting Down state is a transient state that occurs when a TE-link is set to maintenance mode in the NFM-T. In this state, the TE-link is not available for routing new LSPs, but the existing LSPs (SNCs) that use the TE-link are not immediately terminated. Instead, they are soft-rerouted, which means that they are gracefully switched to alternative paths without disrupting the traffic. The Shutting Down state lasts until all the SNCs on the TE-link are successfully soft-rerouted or forcefully terminated. After that, the TE-link transitions to the Administrative Maintenance state, where no traffic can be routed over the TE-link12.
References:
* 1: Nokia GMPLS-controlled Optical Networks Course | Nokia
* 2: Nokia Network Functions Manager for Transport User Guide | Nokia

Explanation
The equipment vendor is not a parameter that is considered when restoring an LSP. Restoration is the process of re-establishing an LSP after a failure by using an alternative path that meets the same constraints as the original LSP. The parameters that are considered when restoring an LSP include coloring, reservation priority, maximum latency, bandwidth, protection type, and other QoS attributes. The equipment vendor does not affect the restoration process as long as the nodes support GMPLS protocols and interoperate with each other. References : RFC 4427 – Recovery (Protection and Restoration) Terminology for Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS), [Nokia GMPLS-controlled Optical Networks Course | Nokia]

Explanation
The Upstream Label Object in RSVP-TE is an optional object that allows a node to suggest a label to its upstream neighbor for the purpose of provisioning bidirectional LSPs. The upstream label object is carried in the Resv message and contains the label value that the node wants to use for receiving traffic from its upstream neighbor. The upstream neighbor can accept or reject the suggested label based on its local policy and resource availability. The upstream label object simplifies the label allocation process for bidirectional LSPs and avoids the need for additional signaling messages. References : RSVP-TE – Hewlett Packard Enterprise, RSVP – Nokia

Explanation
The GMPLS technology includes three categories of protocols: routing, signaling, and link management.
Routing protocols are used to exchange information about the network topology, resources, and constraints among the nodes. Signaling protocols are used to establish, modify, and release Label Switched Paths (LSPs) across the network. Link management protocols are used to verify the connectivity and status of the links between adjacent nodes. References : Nokia GMPLS-controlled Optical Networks Course | Nokia, 3. GMPLS
– Nokia

Explanation
A Label Switched Path (LSP) is the path created by MPLS nodes that use labels to forward packets across the network. A label is a short identifier that is attached to each packet and indicates the next hop or destination of the packet. The nodes use a label forwarding table to switch packets based on their labels, without inspecting the packet headers. This can improve the performance, security, and quality of service of the network. An LSP can be established by using GMPLS protocols such as OSPF-TE and RSVP-TE, which exchange information about the network topology, resources, and constraints. References : Nokia GMPLS-controlled Optical Networks Course | Nokia, GMPLS – Nokia

Explanation
The Feasibility File is a file that contains a set of target values for various optical impairment parameters, such as OSNR, CD, PMD, and PDL, that are used to determine whether a given LSP can be routed through the GMRE network. The Feasibility File is generated by the Network Planning Application (NPA) based on the network design and the service requirements. The Feasibility File is then loaded into the GMRE nodes and used by the GMPLS routing engine to perform feasibility checks for LSP requests. The Feasibility File ensures that the LSPs are routed in accordance with the network plan and the optical performance criteria12.
References:
* 1: Nokia GMPLS-controlled Optical Networks Course | Nokia
* 2: GMPLS – Nokia

Explanation
The provisioning steps that are common in both CP to plain MP networks are node creation, CPB provisioning process, node synchronization, and CPB power balance. These steps are required to create and commission the nodes, provision the cross-connect boards (CPBs), associate the links between the nodes, synchronize the network elements (NEs) with the NFM-T, and balance the power levels of the CPBs. References : Nokia GMPLS-controlled Optical Networks Course | Nokia, Nokia Advanced Optical Network Management with NFM-T Course | Nokia

Explanation
Test Mode is a feature of the Link Management Protocol (LMP) that allows testing the connectivity and functionality of a link or a TE-link. Test Mode can be initiated by either end of a link or a TE-link by sending a Test Message with a Test ID and a Test Pattern. The Test Message is sent over the control channel of the link or the TE-link and contains information such as the source and destination IP addresses, the link ID, and the test parameters. The receiving node then verifies the Test Message and sends back a TestStatusAck message with the same Test ID and Test Pattern. The TestStatusAck message indicates whether the test was successful or not, and if not, what was the reason for failure. Test Mode can be used to check if a link or a TE-link is operational, if it has any errors or faults, or if it supports certain features or capabilities. References : Nokia GMPLS-controlled Optical Networks Course | Nokia, RFC 4204 – Link Management Protocol (LMP)

Explanation
The OSPF-TE protocol is an extension of the Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) protocol that is used to exchange information about the state of links in a GMPLS network. OSPF-TE advertises link attributes such as bandwidth, latency, priority, protection, or switching capabilities to other nodes in the same area. OSPF-TE enables nodes to build a Traffic Engineering Database (TED) that contains the topology and resource information of the network. OSPF-TE helps nodes to perform CSPF calculations and establish LSPs using RSVP-TE signaling. References : Open Shortest Path First – Wikipedia, Understand Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) – Design Guide, RSVP-TE and OSPF-TE extensions for GMPLS