Elastic traffic effects on WDM dynamic grooming algorithms

Traffic grooming in IP over WDM networks introduces a coupling between the optical and the IP layer. Grooming algorithms are normally studied with a very simple traffic model that completely ignores this interaction. This paper compares the performance of two simple grooming algorithms with a traditional Poisson based traffic model and a more complex one that takes into account the IP traffic elasticity and the inherent interaction between IP and the optical layer. Simulation results, supported by heuristic considerations highlighting the interaction effects, show that ignoring the two layer interaction may lead to wrong conclusions and waste of resources.