Network needs and applications

Summary form only given. The requirements and applications of optical multiple-access networks are discussed with an emphasis on local area networks (LANs). A continuance of a thirty-year historical trend whereby LAN bandwidth requirements increase by an order of magnitude every seven years is seen, driven by requirements to transmit image data. Current local area networks are increasingly being required to have the attributes of a utility. Any future LAN technology will also be required to have the utility attributes of reliability, availability, and manageability. Optical multiple-access networks that provide new services and capabilities must also gracefully interface with current LANs. The ways in which requirements for a LAN differ significantly from those for a wide-area network are discussed.<>