Modelling spreading of failures in GMPLS-based networks

In this paper, a new model to simulate different failure propagation scenarios in GMPLS-based networks is proposed. Different types of failures and malfunctions may spread along the network following different patterns (hardware failures, natural disasters, accidents, configuration errors, viruses, software bugs, etc). Current literature presents several models describing how failures could spread throughout the network. However, existing models usually consider failures affecting single nodes instead of connections, as in transport networks. The proposed model also takes into account GMPLS node failures, affecting both data and control planes. This model has been evaluated using exhaustive simulations and several failure propagation scenarios have been identified. These scenarios can be used to develop and evaluate protection / immunization schemes in order to minimize the impact of failures.