Virtualized optical network services across multiple domains for grid applications

In the field of grid computing over optical networks, joint scheduling of computing and network resources is an important issue. However previous research efforts were static approaches, which are difficult to implement in multidomain optical networks, especially in public carriers´ networks with lots of dynamic background traffic. In this article we put forward that optical network virtualization can be a possible solution to the above mentioned problems. We analyze the benefits and challenges of joint scheduling over a virtualized optical network (VON) across multiple domains and discuss the impacts of dedicated and shared VON provisioning on scheduling problems. Then we propose a VON service composition framework for grid applications, which is different from traditional interdomain routing protocol. Finally, we show the feasibility of our proposal through simulation and an experimental demonstration over a field trial optical network testbed.