Cisco Optical Network Controller (Cisco ONC) is an SDN Domain Controller for Cisco optical networks. Cisco ONC behaves as a Provisioning Network Controller (PNC) and performs the following functions:

• collects information about the inventory and topology of the managed network,

• monitors the topology (physical or virtual) of the network,

• notifies of changes topology and service changes, and

• supports optical path creation and deletion.

Cisco ONC collects relevant data needed for optical applications. This data is also used to provide abstracted network information to higher layer controllers, thus enabling a centralized control of optical network.

Some of the functions supported by Cisco ONC are:

• Optical Domain Control

  Cisco ONC behaves as a domain controller for Cisco optical products. The domain controller feeds data into hierarchical controllers. ONC has a North Bound Interface (NBI) based on the TAPI standard which enables it to connect to any hierarchical controller which has a TAPI compliant South Bound Interface and provide its functions to the controller.

• Path Compute Engine (PCE)

  PCE service provides optical path computation to ensure optically valid paths within supplied constraints are provisioned. PCE uses the up-to-date network status.

• Model Based Network Abstraction

  Cisco ONC supports a standardized TAPI model which enables it to abstract the device level details from the hierarchical controller.