CAM03-2: Cheetah Virtual Label Switch Router Design and Deployment in GMPLS Optical Networks

In this paper, we describe the design and implementation of a GMPLS software engine that is used to enable non-GMPLS switches (e.g., Ethernet switches, routers and other cross-connects) to participate in the dynamic setup and release of end-to-end bandwidth guaranteed connections. We have deployed this engine in the experimental Cheetah optical network, and hence we call it the Cheetah Virtual Label Switching Router (CVLSR). It allows users to share the network resources dynamically and makes it possible to extend the connections across the local area network to the end-users. The CVLSR engine is also equipped with a function called dynamic network clustering which is needed to enable a broad range of applications such as remote visualization, grid computing and e-learning. We have successfully demonstrated the inter-operability of the CVLSR with commercially available GMPLS enabled SONET-based cross-connect switches. The purpose of this paper is to share our experience in designing and deploying the CVLSR in the Cheetah network. We believe that these and similar efforts will result in significant progress towards enabling connection-oriented high performance networking.