Next-Generation Optical Networks : Management and Control for Network Scalability and Resilience

To better exploit the capabilities of optical technologies for high-bandwidth communication, there is a need for next-generation optical networks, which ideally could provide high-speed network access and bandwidth-on-demand at reduced costs. One promising technique to achieve this goal is wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) circuit switching (flow switching), where optical circuits, i.e., light-paths, are dynamically established at a small time scale. Such a fast provisioning of light- paths would use network resources efficiently by adjusting to the rapidly changing needs of end users, thus reduce the cost. In addition, it could serve as a platform for new services and applications. In this work, we focus on two important research problems in next-generation optical networks with flow switching: (1) scalability of network management and control, and (2) resilience/reliability of networks upon faults and attacks. Our main technical approaches are decision theory and probabilistic graphical models.

Guanglei Liu, Ph.D., Georgia Institute of Technology. Associate Professor of Computer Science, Roane State Community College, Tennessee.