Customer-oriented GMPLS service management

The concept of generalized multi-protocol label switching (GMPLS) is an emerging control technology applied on different types of networks. It uses the same IP control plane (signaling and routing) in packet-based, TDM, as well as in optical switched networks. In this paper, we propose a management architecture, which allows a service provider to offer customers various services based on a GMPLS infrastructure of one or more different GMPLS network providers. The business model behind the architecture is comparable to the online flight ticket sales systems known. The architecture has been implemented and first results are shown in this paper.