TWAREN Optical Network Laboratory and Lightpath Control System

With the explosive growth of Internet, various applications are developed. Their common feature is the desire for higher network bandwidth than before. Network backbone has been upgraded from 155 Mbps with ATM technology to Gigabit Ethernet or 10 Gigabit Ethernet to meet this trend. Besides, some next-generation e-science applications such as video streaming, high-quality images, and grid computing also need the optical network to provide higher bandwidth with QoS guarantee. In the past, national research and education networks (NRENs) around the world strive for developing the control layer of optical network. TWAREN [2] establishes an optical network laboratory to investigate the next-generation network with optical technology. The laboratory supports not only SDH and next-generation SDH functions, but also DWDM functions which offer a hybrid network platform for domestic and international research projects. In our on-going LightPath control project, we develop a control system with automatic lightpath re- establishment function to manage optical devices in our laboratory. We will integrate our control system with TWAREN NOC to facilitate the network operation and reduce the cost of operator in our project planning.