Optimal Degree of Optical Circuit Switching in IP-over-WDM Networks

TL;DR

This paper analyzes how technology, traffic characteristics, and costs influence the optimal balance between optical and electrical switching in IP-over-WDM networks, aiming to optimize network design and cost-efficiency.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive study of the optimal node transparency in IP-over-WDM networks considering multiple technological and economic factors.

Findings

Optimal node transparency varies with traffic volume and demand affinity.

Cost-sensitive design favors different equipment mixes under changing conditions.

The study highlights the impact of optical circuit speeds and equipment costs on network architecture.

Abstract

In this paper, we study the influence of technology, traffic properties and price trends on optimized design of a reference IP-over-WDM network with rich underlying fiber topology. In each network node, we investigate the optimal degree of traffic switching in an optical (lambda) domain versus an electrical (packet) domain, also known as measure of node transparency. This measure is studied in connection to changes in traffic volume, demand affinity, optical circuit speeds and equipment cost. By applying variable design constraints, we assess the relative roles of the two distinct equipment groups, IP routers and optical cross-connects, with respect to resulting changes in cost-sensitive network architectures.