Resource provisioning for dynamic multi-domain WDM networks: Effectiveness and fairness

In this paper, we approach new problems of resource dimensioning and routing for multi-domain networks supporting future user-driven dynamic traffic. Three basic dimensioning approaches-independent, global, and normalized-are studied in conjunction with the appropriate routing schemes that match each dimensioning policy based on how much information is shared across domains. We quantify the performance of inter-domain and intra-domain traffic while considering changes in traffic loads as well as network rescaling. We introduce the notion of fairness, which raises questions about how network domains with separate ownership and possibly conflicting economic interests should decide on co-providing bandwidth-on-demand services. The results motivate further research in fair, multi-domain resource provisioning, and highlight the need for new cost-models that are critical in designing multi-domain provisioning and peering policies.