Optical Mesh Network (OMN)

Definition - What does Optical Mesh Network (OMN) mean?

An optical mesh network (OMN) is a telecommunication network that uses optical fiber, synchronous digital hierarchy and a ring architecture. OMN networks evolved from the digital-cross-connect systems with mesh architecture that were used in the 1980s. Optical mesh networks were a huge advancement in optical fiber telecommunication network systems. The new mesh optical technology is similar to the old ring networks, but much cheaper and much more efficient.

Optical transport networks have introduced new standards in telecommunication systems by providing high speed data communication, higher bandwidth and extraordinary trunking capacity for higher and heavy networks layers.

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Techopedia explains Optical Mesh Network (OMN)

Optical mesh networks are frequently used for big networking systems, such as those in large cities. This is because the OMN mesh fiber technology is very efficient and reliable for communication purposes.

The major advantage of using an optical mesh networks is trunking. This is the ability to have multiple routers and switches interconnected with each other. OMNs allow these devices to speed up routing in combination with error detection/fault removal solutions to create a faster and less error prone network.

Optical mesh networks also support backup and recovery plans for established networks in case of any disaster, damage or failure.