Enabling Optical Internet with Advanced Network Technologies

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 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 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. This text will be a valuable resource for advanced undergraduates, beginning graduates, and researchers studying communications in Engineering and Computer Science.