Title :
A next-generation optical regional access network
Author :
Kuznetsov, Mark ; Froberg, Nan M. ; Henion, Scott R. ; Rao, Hemonth G. ; Korn, Jeff ; Rauschenbach, Kristin A. ; Modiano, Eytan H. ; Chan, Vincent W S
Author_Institution :
Lincoln Lab., MIT, Lexington, MA, USA
fDate :
1/1/2000 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
We describe an optical regional access network which combines electronic IP routing with intelligent networking functionality of the optical WDM layer. The optical WDM layer provides such networking functions as network logical topology reconfiguration, optical flow switching to offload traffic and bypass IP routers, wavelength routing of signals, protection switching and restoration in the optical domain, and flexible network service provisioning by reconfigurable wavelength connectivity. We discuss key enabling technologies for the WDM layer and describe their limitations. The symbiosis of electronic and optical WDM networking functions also allows support for heterogeneous format traffic and will enable efficient gigabit-per-second user access in next-generation Internet networks
Keywords :
Internet; intelligent networks; network topology; optical fibre subscriber loops; optical switches; telecommunication network routing; telecommunication traffic; transport protocols; wavelength division multiplexing; IP routers; Internet networks; electronic IP routing; electronic networking; heterogeneous format traffic; intelligent networking; metropolitan access network; network logical topology reconfiguration; network service provisioning; optical WDM layer; optical domain; optical flow switching; optical regional access network; protection switching; reconfigurable wavelength connectivity; switching restoration; wavelength routing; Circuit topology; Image motion analysis; Intelligent networks; Network topology; Next generation networking; Optical fiber networks; Protection switching; Telecommunication traffic; Wavelength division multiplexing; Wavelength routing;
Journal_Title :
Communications Magazine, IEEE
