 switch designs to deploy CWDM-enabled metro access networks. Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) Technology 2006. Therefore, it appears that unless the cost of DWDM decreases signif- icantly, CWDM has a window of opportunity for the immediate future in the metropolitan area network (MAN) space. It is going to be a challenge to deploy a bottom-line positive metro access/metro core operation. Among other things, the cost per building has to be kept low. Optical equipment vendors that have developed long-haul DWDM equipment will find that they cannot simply relabel the product by taking a long-haul DWDM sys- tem and repainting the word "metro" over "long-haul" to secure a cost- effective metro DWDM product. However, some advancement will be needed before CWDM technology becomes poised for wide-scale deploy- ment. In particular, it is crucial that CWDM systems be enhanced with strong network management/operations support system (OSS) tools, SO that networks based on these network elements can be supported cost-effec- tively in terms of provisioning, alarming, and fault restoration. CWDM is an implementation of WDM technology that is applicable to metro access applications and short- to medium-haul networks. Because CWDM uses low-cost uncooled lasers and wideband multiplexers and demultiplexers instead of the more expensive cooled lasers found in stan- dard DWDM systems, it provides a much more affordable solution. Typically, there is no immediate need for 32 channels in the access net- work. From a power budget standpoint, designers may want to limit them- selves to 8 or 16 buildings per ring. Utilizing 32 lambdas would equate to 4 lambdas per building. Providing 40 Gbps (4x10 Gbps) or 10 Gbps (4X2.5 Gbps) is currently overkill. This simply builds an expensive and nonrev- enue-producing inventory of capacity that will not be able to be utilized in a money-making manner for the foreseeable future. Therefore, it makes sense to provide an inexpensive way for carriers to use WDM. Low-cost transceiver optics a