Enabling Optical Internet with Advanced Network Technologies

This book provides a broad overview of IP over WDM technologies, as seen by a group of experts participating in the e-Photon/ONeC and BONE Networks of Excellence funded within the VIth and VIIth Research Framework Programmes (FP6 and FP7) of the European Union. Both Networks of Excellence are aimed at the integration of research teams active on optical networks at a pan-European level, with the creation of virtual centers of excellence in optical networks, te- nologies, and services. The working groups on optical core networks gathered about a 100 researchers from more than 20 universities and research institutions in Europe. The multifaceted viewpoints available in this community on the current state and future evolution of large WDM networking infrastructures are reported in this book. The book is organized in chapters, with chapter editors, listed on pp–, having the responsibility to collect and harmonize contributions by different - search groups. The whole work was made possible by the coordination efforts of Javier Aracil and Franco Callegati, leaders, at the time when the book writing was begun, of the working groups on optical core networks and on optical burst swit- ing in e-Photon/ONeC. We are thankful to them for their efforts. We hope that this manuscript will serve as a valuable reference for students and practitioners in the ?eld of optical networking.

Developments in optical transmission systems and electronic routers allow huge bandwidth and ever-increasing capacity. Yet the recent massive deployment of ADSL and broadband access, together with the outburst of new multimedia network services, have resulted in a significant increase in end-user traffic and bandwidth demands. This has motivated research into so-called "transparent optical networks", where the photonic technology is used not only for transmission purposes, but also for implementing more complex functions.

This useful textbook/reference provides an overview of the key concepts related to the major issues of optical Internet, and studies traditionally and recently proposed optical switching paradigms. The concise, yet comprehensive coverage presents a detailed comparison of optical switching technologies, and covers architectural issues together with topics such as signaling protocols and Quality of Service (QoS) provision. Additionally, the book provides deep insight into recent advances in optical circuit switching, optical packet switching (OPS) and optical burst switching (OBS) technologies; their performance advantages, their control-plane specifications, their enabling technologies, their applicability in today’s networks, and their cost benefits. Readers need only undergraduate background in computer communication networks on topics related to TCP/IP, SDH and MPLS networks.

Topics and features:

• Provides a thorough overview of optical technologies and protocols for the Future Internet, presented by experts in the field from the e-Photon/ONe and BONE European Union Networks of Excellence
• Includes detailed examples, enabling readers to isolate similarities and performance differences
• Presents a thorough introduction to IP over Wavelength Division Multiplexing; describing SONET/SDH, ASON and GMPLS networks, and discussing the Routing and Wavelength Assignmentproblem
• Explores OPS, including header coding techniques and Fiber Delay Line buffers, as well as buffered switch architectures and Array Wave Grating space switching architectures
• Discusses topics relating to OBS, reviewing the issues of QoS provisioning in OBS and the interplay between Transmission Control Protocol and OBS
• Describes how an OBS network can support a ubiquitous Grid platform able to address the requirements of a large number of dynamic users
• Discusses implementation issues of optical switching fabrics and their applicability in the real world, presenting key performance indicators and describing applications such as Optical Cross Connects and Optical Add/Drop Multiplexers

This wide-ranging and authoritative text will be a valuable resource for advanced undergraduates, beginning graduates, and researchers studying communications in either Engineering or Computer Science.