For anyone with access to Cisco Learning Connection (any CCNA or above I believe), you can access a number of online courses for free following the links off of the Optical Specialist page. This will provide you some good insight into the basics of SONET and fiber optic communication.
http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/le2/le41/le82/le51/learning_certification_type_home_extra_level.html
I recommend Cisco Press's Optical Network Design and Implementation book. It covers the basics of fiber optics as well as SONET/SDH, DWDM and provisioning on the 15454 as well.
http://www.ciscopress.com/title/1587051052
Additionally, if you have the option of taking a class, look at Global Knowledge. I had their Optical Specialist Boot Camp in July of this year and was quite happy with it.
http://www.globalknowledge.com/training/course.asp?PageID=9&courseid=8885&country=United+States
If you are looking specifically for provisioning, the Turn Up, Test, Provisioning, Operations Training (OCTPO) class may be more what you are looking for, but for the price difference, Id recommend the boot camp.
http://www.globalknowledge.com/training/course.asp?PageID=9&courseid=9285&country=United+States
Our labs consisted of 6 nodes which we configured in UPSR, BLSR, Linear configurations, provisioned a variety of circuits (DS1, DS3, STS-3c, OC3, and STS-3c for ethernet). Additionally the boot camp deals with DWDM and the 15216 product family.
If you are using the 15454 MSTP product, a separate class is offered: http://www.globalknowledge.com/training/course.asp?PageID=9&courseid=8559&country=United+States
Another good resource is the Procedure and Reference guides.
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/ong/15400/index.htm
If you have any questions, let me know. I am not an optical expert by any means, but have been operating a 15454 network for almost 3 years and spent this summer studying for my Optical Specialist test.
Josh
