This tutorial provides an overview of SDH/SONET, covering basics, HDLC framing, terminologies, rates, and the SONET STS-1 SDH Frame. SONET (Synchronous Optical Network) and SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy) serve the same purpose: communication over optical. Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) is a standardized technology used in optical communications to transmit digital signals over long distances with high reliability and efficiency. Many digital data streams are transmitted simultaneously over the optical fiber with SONET. SDH is widely used in telecommunications.