Evi Zouganeli

Label-Controlled Optical Packet Routing—Technologies and Applications

An overview is given of various optical packet labeling techniques. The architecture and technologies are discussed for optical packet routing nodes using orthogonal labeling with opto-electronic label processing, and for nodes using time-serial labeling with all-optical time-serial label processing. An example of a near-term application is given, and a comparison of routing technologies is made regarding their cost and reliability aspects.

Connected objects and the Internet of things — A paradigm shift

Emerging and future network requirements for the Internet of Things (IoT) or Connected Objects (CO) cannot be met by the networks and solutions we envisage today. The vision of IoT includes millions of objects that interact with the network using a plethora of applications. Some of these objects will require little attention and will generate little traffic, while on the other extreme objects may need frequent updates, generate awful amounts of data, demand seamless mobility, real time connections, high availability, advanced security. In this paper we give an overview of emerging and future CO applications and services, with examples, as well as evaluate the impact these will have on the network both in terms of traffic and in terms of new or more stringent performance requirements.

An Evaluation of Future Mobile Networks Backhaul Options

Mobile networks and services have grown dramatically since digital networks were introduced in the early nineties. Now operators want to provide broadband services over the Internet to mobile and wireless users. The pressure on the transport network will increase dramatically, and more cost effective solutions for the backhaul are urgently needed. This includes both physical layer and higher protocol levels of the network. This paper addresses backhaul transport layer issues from an operators view. It addresses the most promising solutions, looks at emerging technology aspects, and provides cost estimates. The work has been performed within the Telenor Group’s COmmoN TEchnology and STrategy (CONTEST) program.

Towards optical packet switched MANs: Design issues and tradeoffs

Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) are considered one of the best arenas for an early introduction of optical packet switching technologies. However, there is still no clear definition of how these technologies should be exploited in the design of innovative MANs. In this paper we consider different architectures that have been studied in the framework of the European Network of Excellence e-Photon/ONe and analyze their advantages and limitations. The main contribution of this work is the proposal of an analytical framework to compare these architectures in terms of resource demand when dimensioning them for a given traffic matrix and, from this analysis, discuss issues and trade-offs arising in the design of optical packet MANs.

Optical label switched networks: laboratory trial and network emulator in the IST-STOLAS project

This article reviews the performance of an optical-label-controlled packet routing node as implemented in the European FP5-IST STOLAS project including a set of general engineering rules. Experimental networking scenarios and results from a STOLAS based network emulator supporting optical overspill routing are presented

A study of fault tolerant architectures for electronic in- and egress interconnections in optical burst/packet switched networks

We analyze optical core networks where each node is connected to external electrical client networks. We thus consider that nodes have an electronic in- and egress part, serving the client networks, and an all-optical switch that handles the internal traffic. We require of the network that it should be able to tolerate single optical switch failures and single optical link failures, and compare two architectures that both satisfy the requirement. The architectures studied are: fault tolerant optical nodes and multi-homing of the electronic in- and egress to home node and all neighbouring nodes. Both alternatives are also compared to the non-fault tolerant case, acting as a reference. The network topology studied is a two- dimensional torus network with symmetrical traffic, which we, in lieu of the diversity in actual topologies to be seen, propose as reasonably representative for an optical core network. Comparisons are made with respect to link capacity and node switching requirements. The analysis shows that the fault tolerant networks have nearly the same requirement for link redundancy. The switching requirement of the multi-homed architecture is less than half that of the fault-tolerant-node alternative, and even less than for the non-redundant case. It is therefore the most attractive solution with respect to the proposed evaluation criteria. The amount of saving using the preferred alternative depends however on the relative balance between switching and transmission costs to be observed in emerging packet/burst switching technologies

Node Redundancy in Optical Burst and Packet Switched Networks

With an ever-increasing dependence on the electronic infrastructure, our society needs highly reliable optical networks. Protection against link failures is common in optical networks, but we consider the less developed methods for protection against node failures. A reconfigurable optical twin-switch node design is proposed, allowing protection of high priority traffic. During normal operation, all switching resources in the node are available. In case of failure in either half of the switch, a working half remains to handle parts of the traffic through the node.

Performance evaluation of a mesh optical burst switched network with tunable lasers and tunable wavelength converters

This paper evaluates the performance of a mesh optical burst switched (OBS) network that implements tunable lasers and tunable wavelength converters to realize the optical label setting and optical label swapping functions. We define a realistic service evolution scenario and based on that create a realistic future traffic input scenario for the OBS network. Network simulation studies are carried out in slotted operation. The mechanisms that govern the operation of this network are revealed together with a number of design tradeoffs.

Responsible development of self-learning assisted living technology for older adults with mild cognitive impairment or dementia

In this paper we present work in progress in the Assisted Living Project – responsible innovations for dignified lives at home for people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia. The project has a distinctly interdisciplinary approach and engages experts in nursing and occupational therapy, in ethics and responsible research and innovation, and in technology, in particular automation and machine learning. Our approach is to involve the end-users, their family and their care providers and develop technology responsibly together with them. The technological approach employs self-learning systems to develop solutions that provide individualised support in accordance with the user’s values, choices, and preferences. The paper presents our approach, current findings and future plans.

Cost-performance comparison between optical and MPLS-based resilience

In this paper we discuss the scope for introducing resilience in the optical layer. In particular we present a scenario analysis of a multilayer network where a range of optical and MPLS-based resilience solutions are mutually compared and the effect is quantified as a function of traffic demand and network size. Our results show that optical resilience becomes more cost-efficient than MPLS-based resilience when the end-to-end traffic demand corresponds to roughly the capacity of one optical channel (10 Gbit/s channels are assumed) - and increasingly so for higher traffic demand beyond this point. The exact cross-over point shifts to lower values with increasing network size, and to higher values with increasing number of QoS classes in the optical layer. The consequence with respect to technology strategy is discussed.