Jaume Comellas

Challenges and requirements for introducing impairment-awareness into the management and control planes of ASON/GMPLS WDM networks

The absence of electrical regenerators in transparent WDM networks significantly contributes to reduce the overall network cost. In transparent WDM networks, a proper resource allocation requires that the presence of physical impairments in routing and wavelength assignment (RWA) and lightpath provisioning be taken into account. In this article a centralized, a hybrid centralized-distributed and two distributed approaches that integrate information about most relevant physical impairments in RWA and lightpath provisioning are presented and assessed. Both centralized and hybrid approaches perform a centralized path computation at the management-plane level, utilizing physical impairment information, while the lightpath provisioning is done by the management plane or the control plane, respectively. The distributed approaches fall entirely within the scope of the ASON/GMPLS control plane. For these two approaches, we provide functional requirements, architectural functional blocks, and protocol extensions for implementing either an impairment-aware real-time RWA, or a lightpath provisioning based on impairment-aware signaling.

Modeling the routing and spectrum allocation problem for flexgrid optical networks

Flexgrid optical networks are attracting huge interest due to their higher spectrum efficiency and flexibility in comparison with traditional wavelength switched optical networks based on the wavelength division multiplexing technology. To properly analyze, design, plan, and operate flexible and elastic networks, efficient methods are required for the routing and spectrum allocation (RSA) problem. Specifically, the allocated spectral resources must be, in absence of spectrum converters, the same along the links in the route (the continuity constraint) and contiguous in the spectrum (the contiguity constraint). In light of the fact that the contiguity constraint adds huge complexity to the RSA problem, we introduce the concept of channels for the representation of contiguous spectral resources. In this paper, we show that the use of a pre-computed set of channels allows considerably reducing the problem complexity. In our study, we address an off-line RSA problem in which enough spectrum needs to be allocated for each demand of a given traffic matrix. To this end, we present novel integer lineal programming (ILP) formulations of RSA that are based on the assignment of channels. The evaluation results reveal that the proposed approach allows solving the RSA problem much more efficiently than previously proposed ILP-based methods and it can be applied even for realistic problem instances, contrary to previous ILP formulations.

Elastic Spectrum Allocation for Time-Varying Traffic in FlexGrid Optical Networks

Elastic flexgrid optical networks (FG-ON) are considered a very promising solution for next-generation optical networks. In this article we focus on lightpath adaptation under variable traffic demands in FG-ON. Specifically, we explore the elastic spectrum allocation (SA) capability of FG-ON and, in this context, we study the effectiveness of three alternative SA schemes in terms of the network performance. To this end, we formulate a Multi-Hour Routing and Spectrum Allocation (MH-RSA) optimization problem and solve it by means of both Integer Linear Programming (ILP) and efficient heuristic algorithms. Since, as numerical results show, the effectiveness of SA schemes highly depends on the traffic demand profile, we formulate some indications on the applicability of elastic SA in FG-ON.

Integrated IP/WDM routing in GMPLS-based optical networks

Future transport networks will have to cope with the continuous growth of IP traffic. Furthermore, transport networks need to evolve so as to drastically reduce both deployment costs and operating expenses. A reasonable strategy to achieve this goal consists of simplifying the network architecture by reducing the number of layers. Assuming a peer model IP over optical network, we propose an integrated routing strategy that takes into account constraints and dynamic occupancy of both the IP and optical layers. The collaboration of both layers in the routing process leads to optimization of network performance. The main emphasis is on the implementation requirements of this grooming functionality using GMPLS-TE mechanisms. Simulation results show the benefits obtained by applying this strategy.

A dynamic impairment-aware networking solution for transparent mesh optical networks

Core networks of the future will have a translucent and eventually transparent optical structure. Ultra-high-speed end-to-end connectivity with high quality of service and high reliability will be realized through the exploitation of optimized protocols and lightpath routing algorithms. These algorithms will complement a flexible control and management plane integrated in the proposed solution. Physical layer impairments and optical performance are monitored and incorporated in impairment-aware lightpath routing algorithms. These algorithms will be integrated into a novel dynamic network planning tool that will consider dynamic traffic characteristics, a reconfigurable optical layer, and varying physical impairment and component characteristics. The network planning tool along with extended control planes will make it possible to realize the vision of optical transparency. This article presents a novel framework that addresses dynamic cross-layer network planning and optimization while considering the development of a future transport network infrastructure.

Optimal route, spectrum, and modulation level assignment in split-spectrum-enabled dynamic elastic optical networks

The spectrum fragmentation effect in elastic optical networks is one of their main limitations. Multiple techniques have been proposed to address this problem, with the split spectrum approach (SSA) being a very interesting candidate among them. This technique is based on splitting a demand into smaller sub-demands when a blocking situation arises. In split-spectrum-enabled networks, the route, spectrum, and modulation level assignment (RSMLA) problem that appears in elastic optical networks is further complicated due to the signal splitting operation. In this paper we present novel mechanisms to optimally attack this problem; various possible implementations of the SSA are also discussed. We highlight the benefits of the proposed mechanisms through illustrative results and compare the various implementation solutions in terms of average network cost.

Using spectrum fragmentation to better allocate time-varying connections in elastic optical networks

Elastic optical network (EON) technology arises as a promising solution for future high-speed optical transport, since it can provide superior flexibility and scalability in the spectrum allocation for seamlessly supporting diverse services, while following the rapid growth of Internet traffic. This work focuses on lightpath adaptation under time-variable traffic demands in EONs. Specifically, we explore the possibility of utilizing the spectral fragmentation to increase the spectrum allocation (SA) capabilities of EONs. In this context, a heuristic SA algorithm, which intentionally increases the spectral fragmentation in the network, is proposed and validated. In our proposal, the spectrum assigned to each new connection is in the middle of the largest free spectral void over the route, aiming to provide considerable spectral space between adjacent connections. These free spectral spaces are then used to allocate time-varying connections without requiring any lightpath reallocation. The obtained simulation results show a significant improvement in terms of network blocking probability when utilizing the proposed algorithm.

Single-path provisioning with multi-path recovery in flexgrid optical networks

The new flexgrid technology, in opposition to the fixed grid one traditionally used in wavelength switched optical networks (WSON), allows allocating the spectral bandwidth needed to convey heterogeneous client demand bitrates in a flexible manner so that the optical spectrum can be managed much more efficiently. In this paper we propose a new recovery scheme, called single-path provisioning multi-path recovery (SPP-MPR), specifically designed for flexgrid-based optical networks. It provisions single-paths to serve the bitrate requested by client demands and combines protection and restoration schemes to jointly recover, in part or totally, that bitrate in case of failure. We define the bitrate squeezed recovery optimization (BRASERO) problem to maximize the bitrate which is recovered in case of failure of any single fiber link. A mixed integer linear programming (MILP) formulation is provided. Exhaustive numerical experiments carried out over two network topologies and realistic traffic scenarios show that the efficiency of the proposed SPP-MPR scheme approaches that of restoration mechanisms while providing recovery times as short as protection schemes.

Experimental demonstration of an all-fiber endless polarization controller based on Faraday rotation

An all-fiber device for the control of the state of polarization (SOP) is presented. The controller is high speed (its time response is less than 50 ms in the worst case), low loss (insertion losses are 2.5 dB independently of the input SOP), and low cost (is constructed with standard single-mode fiber). The polarization controller has been implemented using two Faraday rotators and works at 1550 nm. We have also designed an algorithm that confers an endless performance to the device. The controller has been included in a 2.5 Gb/s CPFSK optical coherent system and results are presented here.

PNNI-based control plane for automatically switched optical networks

Much effort has been spent on the definition of control plane protocols for automatically switched optical networks (ASON). Most of the proposals brought into the standardization for an International Telecommunications Union-Telecommunication Sector, Internet Engineering Task Force, and Optical Internetworking Forum are based on Internet protocol concepts. One such proposal is the generalized multi-protocol label switching (GMPLS), an extension of the MPLS traffic engineering control plane model that includes nonpacket switched technologies (time, wavelength, and fiber switching). Recently, the potential use of private network-network interface (PNNI) in ASONs has been discussed as an alternative proposal by the standardization bodies. The goal of this paper is to appropriately adapt asynchronous transfer mode into an optical PNNI (O-PNNI) protocol that can be used as the control plane of ASONs. The paper also provides a critical viewpoint on the potential usage of either O-PNNI or GMPLS control plane and analyzes the pros and cons of each. The methodology adopted toward devising O-PNNI hinges on reviewing PNNI along with ASON recommendations in order to determine the set of PNNI features that require adaptation. Having identified these features we engineer and present appropriate solutions relating to routing, signaling and addressing aspects.