Label distribution in GMPLS-based wavelength-routed networks

In future GMPLS-based wavelength-routed networks (WRNs), lightpaths are set up or torn down dynamically. Because OXC/OADM usually has a relatively long switching time, lightpath setup time is usually very long. In this paper, an improvement to wavelength assignment, the so-called label distribution in GMPLS context, is made. While the signaling protocol, such as RSVP-TE, is kept unmodified, label switching routers (LSRs) use a new method to request and distribute labels. As a result, lightpath setup time can be reduced considerably. Detailed performance analyses and simulation results are given. They show that the proposed method can speed up lightpath establishments greatly.