Integrating GMPLS in the OBS Networks Control Plane

The GMPLS set of protocols have been consolidated as the model for building up a Control Plane for WCS (Wavelength Circuit Switched Networks). GMPLS, which is an extension of the MPLS model adopted in IP networks to introduce traffic engineering, constrained routing and connection oriented facilities, includes extensions to introduce these facilities also to circuit switched networks like SDH and WDM networks. Now, adapting GMPLS to optical networks providing statistical multiplexing capabilities like Optical Burst Switching (OBS) networks means close the cycle, since we are coming back to the origins, a packet switched network. In this paper we first discuss the main characteristics of OBS networks and compare them with those of IP and WDM networks, then based on these characteristics we analyze the potential new requirements of building up a Control Plane for OBS networks, and finally we suggest how to integrate GMPLS the OBS control plane.