Abstract:
Growing competition between network operators, new characteristics of traffic as well as network survivability challenges trigger the need to migrate from SDH/SONET-based networks to a more flexible and dynamic optical infrastructure. The proposed tutorial will present possible transformation of current networks to next generation optical networks containing a control plane added to traditional data and management planes. The addition of the control plane gives the means to deliver end-to-end, managed bandwidth services efficiently, expediently and at reduced cost. Benefits and requirements of such a control plane will be described and discussed. Two alternative approaches to build the control plane based on ASON (Automatically Switched Optical Networks) and GMPLS (Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching) will be presented. The first is mainly supported by the incumbent operator community (ITU-T) while the second, by the Internet related bodies (IETF). Various solutions to link the IP and WDM data planes will be discussed. Modeling and protocols for the control plane will be presented. Approaches to management and service resilience in optical networks using the ASON and GMPLS functionalities will be reviewed. The tutorial will be concluded by presenting current standardization activities, open issues and perspectives of intelligent optical networking.