Richard Rabbat

Optical Burst Transport: A Technology for the WDM Metro Ring Networks

We propose a sublambda traffic-grooming scheme on wavelength-division-multiplexing ring networks, named optical burst transport. The network protocol and architecture are designed to support dynamic bandwidth allocation, which is more reasonable for bursty data traffic. To verify our network protocol and architecture, we build a testbed which supports burst-mode transmission. Also, we transmit streaming video over Ethernet as an application

Traffic grooming for WDM rings using optical burst transport

A sublambda traffic-grooming scheme on wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) rings, which is called optical burst transport (OBT), is proposed. The network protocol and architecture allow increased flexibility to tailor the transport network behavior for efficient delivery of bursty data traffic. Using different network parameters, its performance is analyzed via simulation, and the implementation issues including the media-access-control (MAC) protocol, tunable-filter controller, and burst-mode receiver are addressed. Finally, the feasibility of the OBT with an experimental testbed built by the authors is demonstrated and a streaming-video application is used to present its overall functionality.

Demonstration of 2.5 Gbps Optical Burst Switched WDM Rings Network

We present a 2.5 Gbps OBS network testbed named Optical Burst Transport (OBT). OBT combines a reliable control channel with a tightly controlled high speed burst mode transmission. The result is verified by burst mode BER test.

Revisiting Bandwidth-on-Demand Enablers and Challengers of a Bandwidth Market

This paper revisits the concept of bandwidth on demand. In the late 1990s, the promise of instant bandwidth availability led to the development of market mechanisms that companies used to trade bandwidth just as other commodities. Those trading markets all but disappeared with the bursting of the telecom bubble in March 2001. Several years after its demise, it is useful to look at the concept of bandwidth trading anew in considering the development of telecommunications in the information age. The paper offers evidence that bandwidth trading is technically feasible, improves network efficiencies and generates a good return on investment (ROI) for both carrier and operator, which translates into added service offerings for the end-customer. The paper focuses on three main issues of relevance to trading markets: network economics, regulation and technical issues. The paper conducts an introspective study of the economics of the telecommunication network and the drivers for bandwidth markets. It then discusses US regulatory issues including the proposed Telecom bill of 2005, as an amendment to the Telecom Act of 1996 and its effect on competition and the telecom environment. It goes to consider technology-related issues including new advances in control plane and data networking technology and finally combinatorial auctions and futures markets on the business side. In this paper, we take an introspective look at bandwidth trading markets. We first introduce bandwidth trading markets and their advantage versus long-term leasing contracts. The business transaction conducted between a carrier that owns the infrastructure and the service provider that builds the data network topology can be a contract negotiated over a period of time with a strict service level agreement (SLA), but also a rapid leasing transaction executed through a market the way other commodities -rice, stocks and electricity - are bought and sold. We argue for a renewed interest in bandwidth trading and consider three pillars for modern bandwidth trading that are important for the development of these markets with benefit to all pieces of the telecom ecosystem: established and competitive carriers and service providers, large and startup equipment vendors and end-users, who benefit from lower cost and new innovation

Multi-area MPLS/GMPLS Interoperability Trial Over 14-Vendor Packet/TDM/ROADM/OXC Network

A multi-area MPLS/GMPLS interoperability trial was successfully conducted using various types of network elements from 14 vendors for the first time. The results show that the interior gateway routing protocol based multi-area routing architecture is a promising solution to achieve nationwide deployment of GMPLS networks within a carrier domain.

Protection and Spatial Reuse in Optical Burst Transport (OBT) Networks

Optical Burst Transport network is a novel WDM ring architecture for Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN). It leverages the advantages of optical burst switching and WDM rings, while using a token-based medium access scheme. In this paper, we investigate protection together with spatial reuse property. Specifically we show how protection in OBT can be different from conventional protection and propose three algorithms for implementing a fast and low implementation cost, unidirectional 1:1 protection scheme. We analyzed the performance of these schemes via simulation and found an optimum algorithm for minimizing data loss and maximizing data delivery during the fault.

QoS Differentiation in OBT Ring Networks with Comparison to RPR Networks

Optical burst transport networks employ burst transmission in WDM ring architectures and are promising candidates for MANs. We investigate QoS differentiation in OBT, and compare its performance to IEEE 802.17 resilient packet ring (RPR) standard.

Spatial reuse on the optical burst transport network

Optical burst transport (OBT), a novel WDM ring network, is a promising contender for the new metropolitan area network. In this paper, we investigate the spatial reuse property of the OBT, which is able to significantly improve the network performance.

Experimental Demonstration of Protection Mechanism in OBT Ring Network

The optical burst transport network is a novel WDM ring network architecture and protocol. In this paper, we investigate network protection of OBT network. The result shows fast link restoration at the OBT ring network.