TFI-5 is a standardized TDM Fabric to Framer Interface

TDM Fabric to Framer Interface

TDM Fabric to Framer Interface is abbreviated as TDM. Some commonly used TDM variants include:* TFI-4* TFI-5...

 by the OIF

Optical Internetworking Forum

The Optical Internetworking Forum is a non-profit, member-driven organization founded in 1998. It promotes the development and deployment of interoperable networking solutions and services through the creation of Implementation Agreements for optical networking products, network processing...

 that allow framer and switch components from multiple vendors to inter-operate facilitating the development of add/drop multiplexers, TDM cross connect and grooming switches. the standard includes link integrity monitoring, connection management and mapping mechanisms for both SONET/SDH and non-SONET/SDH clients such as Ethernet

Ethernet

Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies for local area networks commercially introduced in 1980. Standardized in IEEE 802.3, Ethernet has largely replaced competing wired LAN technologies....

 and Fibre Channel

Fibre Channel

Fibre Channel, or FC, is a gigabit-speed network technology primarily used for storage networking. Fibre Channel is standardized in the T11 Technical Committee of the InterNational Committee for Information Technology Standards , an American National Standards Institute –accredited standards...

.

The main application of TFI-5 is for Time-division multiplexing

Time-division multiplexing

Time-division multiplexing is a type of digital multiplexing in which two or more bit streams or signals are transferred apparently simultaneously as sub-channels in one communication channel, but are physically taking turns on the channel. The time domain is divided into several recurrent...

 (TDM). this contrast with other OFI standards such SPI-5 which target packet/cell applications.

OFI level 5 standards that covered interfaces of 40 Gbit/s.

See also

• TDM
  Time-division multiplexing
  Time-division multiplexing is a type of digital multiplexing in which two or more bit streams or signals are transferred apparently simultaneously as sub-channels in one communication channel, but are physically taking turns on the channel. The time domain is divided into several recurrent...
  
  
• SFI-5
• Optical Internetworking Forum
  Optical Internetworking Forum
  The Optical Internetworking Forum is a non-profit, member-driven organization founded in 1998. It promotes the development and deployment of interoperable networking solutions and services through the creation of Implementation Agreements for optical networking products, network processing...
  
  
• Framer
  Framer
  A framer is a carpenter who assembles the major structural elements of a wood-framed building. Framers build walls out of studs, sills, and headers; build floors from joists and beams; and frame roofs using ridge poles and rafters....