λ-path fragmentation and de-fragmentation through dynamic grooming

In multi-layer networks, where more than one layer is dynamic, i.e., connections are set up using not only the upper, e.g., IP layer but the underlying wavelength layer as well leads often to suboptimal performance. In this paper we discuss the lightpath fragmentation and de-fragmentation problem, where the lightpath system cannot follow the traffic changes fast enough. We show what it depends on, when is it critical and how much does it deteriorate the performance of the network.