Providing differentiated services for multi-class traffic in IP/MPLS over WDM networks

Providing differentiated services in IP/MPLS over WDM networks has attracted a lot of recent attention. This article extends the Path Inflation Control (PIC) policy recently proposed by us to provide differentiated services in IP/MPLS over WDM networks with traffic grooming. Three different algorithms are considered for provisioning differentiated services. The simulation results show that, with two of the three algorithms, the network cannot only provide differentiated services when the traffic load is high but also gives significantly lower blocking for the lower priority class traffic and for the overall traffic at low traffic loads.

New traffic grooming approaches in optical networks under restricted shared protection

In this paper, two traffic grooming approaches based on alternate path routing are proposed to accommodate a greater number of connections in optical networks. In the first approach (called as Source_SWG), the connections of same source and different destinations along a path are groomed in a wavelength channel, whereas in the second approach (called as Des_SWG), the connections of the same destination and different sources along a path are groomed in a wavelength channel. These approaches are compared with existing heuristic traffic grooming algorithms based on fixed routing. It is found that both the approaches provide less wavelengths than the existing heuristic traffic grooming algorithms for establishment of all the connections present in the network. The comparative studies of these approaches are also made under restricted shared protection. It is seen that in case of Source_SWG, the number of wavelengths required for establishment of all the connections present in the network is less than that for Des_SWG.

Simulation-based SONET ADM optimization approach for dynamic traffic grooming in WDM optical networks

The article addresses a simulation-based optimization approach for allocation of ADMs in WDM optical networks with stochastic dynamic traffic. Since ADMs are expensive, it is desirable that if each node in WDM optical networks can use a minimum number of ADMs to achieve a near-ideal performance. In this article, first, the utilization statistics of ADMs are gathered by simulation. Then, ADMs are allocated based on the utilization statistics. In this respect, a simple sorting mechanism is used. The distinguished feature of the proposed approach is that it shows the way to allocate ADMs at the nodes of WDM optical networks with stochastic dynamic traffic. The experimental results ensure that the proposed approach can solve the problem of allocating ADMs in practical WDM optical networks considering stochastic dynamic traffic.

Sparse traffic grooming in WDM networks using coarse granularity OXCs

Providing grooming capability to optical crossconnects (OXCs) in wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) networks can allow an effective use of the network bandwidth, however, it increases the node cost that operators must sustain when compared to a non-grooming network. Therefore, operators might consider using sparse grooming instead of full grooming networks. In this article we consider sparse groomed optical networks. Our contribution is 2-fold. First, we address the grooming placement problem that seeks for a set of grooming nodes in the network that leads to the highest overall throughput. This problem is separated into two sub-problems: (i) selection of nodes having grooming capability; (ii) maximization of network throughput assuming the grooming nodes found by the previous step. These two sub-problems are mathematically formulated for different OXC placing strategies considering a static traffic scenario. In the second part, we design a practical heuristic grooming algorithm suitable for dynamic traffic scenarios. The benefit of using sparse grooming nodes, when compared with a non-grooming scenario, is evaluated in terms of throughput and optical port utilization. Our analysis differs of previous ones since it considers grooming at a granularity coarser than the traffic granularity, which is an important aspect since network cost improvement can be obtained at the expense of irrelevant performance impairments. Results show that the insertion of coarse granularity OXCs can be a viable solution for network throughput increase since this can be done at the expense of relatively few or no extra optical ports.

On the performance of distributed lightpath provisioning with dynamic routing and wavelength assignment

Distributed lightpath provisioning in wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) networks has gained wide research interests. In this article, we study the performance of distributed lightpath provisioning in WDM networks with dynamic routing and wavelength assignment (RWA). Specifically, we consider the case where routing of each lightpath is calculated based on globally flooded link-state information, and wavelength assignment is decided through local information exchanges. Simulation results show that such schemes steadily outperform those schemes with only global flooding or only local information exchanges. More significantly, the impacts of various factors on the proposed scheme, including RWA algorithm, network topology, number of wavelengths per fiber, global flooding interval, and traffic load, have been evaluated. Such evaluations help to achieve some insights useful for the future developments of efficient lightpath provisioning schemes.

Design of grooming architectures for optical WDM mesh networks: limited grooming with electronic wavelength conversion

In this article, we consider the problem of traffic grooming in optical wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) mesh networks under static traffic conditions. The objective of this work is to minimize the network cost and in particular, the electronic port costs incurred for meeting a given performance objective. In earlier work, we have shown the benefits of limited grooming switch architectures, where only a subset of wavelengths in a network are equipped with expensive SONET Add Drop Multiplexers (SADM) that provide the grooming functionality. In this work, we also consider the wavelength conversion capability of such groomers. This can be achieved using a digital cross-connect (DCS) in the grooming switch to switch low-speed connections between the SADMs (and hence, between wavelengths). The grooming switch thus avoids the need for expensive optical wavelength converters. Based on these observations, we propose a limited conversion-based grooming architecture for optical WDM mesh networks. The local ports at every node in this architecture can be one of three types: an add-drop port, a grooming port that allows wavelength conversion or a grooming port that does not allow wavelength conversion. The problem studied is: given a static traffic model, where should the different ports be placed in a network? We formulate this as an optimization problem using an Integer Linear Programing (ILP) and present numerical results for the same. We also present a heuristic-based approach to solve the problem for larger networks.     

Performance analysis of an improved soft preemptive scheme for unevenly distributed traffic in optical wavelength-division multiplexing networks

In optical wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) networks, traffic can be unevenly distributed across the network causing inefficient utilization of resources. To solve this problem, an improved soft preemptive (SP) scheme is proposed by considering dynamic resource distribution to deal with the uneven network utilization. A novel unevenly distributed traffic model in cross-time-zone networks is also presented to evaluate the efficiency of the new scheme. Compared with other schemes such as normal shortest path first (SPF) routing and wavelength conversion (WC), the new proposed scheme results demonstrate significantly better performance with respect to the network utilization and overall network blocking probability.

Genetic evolutionary algorithm for optimal allocation of wavelength converters in WDM optical networks

In this article, a genetic evolutionary algorithm is proposed for efficient allocation of wavelength converters in WDM optical networks. Since wavelength converters are expensive, it is desirable that each node in WDM optical networks uses a minimum number of wavelength converters to achieve a near-ideal performance. The searching capability of genetic evolutionary algorithm has been exploited for this purpose. The distinguished feature of the proposed approach lies in handling the conflicting circumstances during allocation of wavelength converters considering various practical aspects (e.g., spatial problem, connectivity of a node with other nodes) rather than arbitrarily to possibly improve the overall blocking performance of WDM optical networks. The proposed algorithm is compared with a previous approach to establish its effectiveness and the results demonstrate the ability of the proposed algorithm to efficiently solve the problem of Optimal Wavelength Converters Allocation (OWCA) in practical WDM optical networks.

Virtual topology transition sequence problem on WDM networks with dedicated protection

Wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) technology has emerged as a promising technology for backbone networks. The set of all-optical communication channels (lightpaths) in the optical layer defines the virtual topology for the upper layer applications. Since the traffic demand of upper layer applications fluctuates from time to time, it is required to reconfigure the underlying virtual topology in the optical layer accordingly. However, the reconfiguration for the virtual topology is reluctantly disruptive to the network since some lightpaths should be torn down and some traffic has to be buffered or rerouted during the reconfiguration process. Therefore, it needs to have an efficient transition method to shift the current virtual topology to the new one so as to minimize the effect of the reconfiguration on the upper layer traffic. In this article, the WDM virtual topology transition sequence problem (WVTTSP) which minimizes the average weighted delay (AWD) is studied. Since the WVTTSP is NP-hard, a heuristic solution model is proposed to solve it. Simulation results show that the proposed least weighted distance first (LWDF) method can find the best result and the time spent by it is less than 4 s for a middle-sized network with 100 links and with 30 wavelengths per link.

Traffic grooming in WDM networks: past and future

Traffic grooming refers to techniques used to combine low-speed traffic streams onto high-speed wavelengths in order to minimize the networkwide cost in terms of line terminating equipment and/or electronic switching. Such techniques become increasingly important for emerging network technologies, including SONET/WDM rings and MPLS/MP/spl lambda/S backbones, for which traffic grooming is essential. In this article we formally define the traffic grooming problem, and we provide a general formulation that captures the features of a wide range of problem variants. We then present a comprehensive comparative survey of the literature that unveils the significant amount of research on this subject (the traffic grooming past). We also offer a broad set of ambitious research directions (the traffic grooming future) that are motivated by the exciting new challenges arising with the advent of MP/spl lambda/S technology.     

Solving virtual topology reconfiguration problem on survivable WDM networks by using simulated annealing and genetic algorithms

In a Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) network, the performance of the virtual topology (VT) designed for a pre-specified traffic pattern can be improved by performing virtual topology reconfiguration (VTR). Simultaneously, the provision of survivability of WDM networks is important, because the transmission of huge data should be protected when a fiber fails. Thus, the combination of survivability and reconfiguration is an important issue in WDM networks. In this paper, the Virtual Topology Reconfiguration Problem (VTRP) in survivable WDM networks with a reconfiguration constraint is studied. Given the physical topology, dedicated path-protection VT, and a new traffic demand matrix, the goal of VTRP is to reconfigure the current VT under the pre-specified reconfiguration constraint so that the objective value can be minimized. The object cost of VTRP is the average weighted propagation delay (AWPD). Because designing a polynomial time algorithm to find the optimal solution of VTRP is impractical, in this paper, a simulated annealing (SA) algorithm and a genetic algorithm (GA) are proposed to solve this problem. Experimental results of these algorithms are also given.

A node configuration algorithm with bandwidth bottleneck resolution for WDM ring networks

The wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) technology has been extensively studied and actually deployed as a key technology to solve global information explosions by multiplexing plural signal paths using different wavelengths into one optical fiber. Among WDM-based network architectures, this article focuses on a double-ring one for a next-generation metropolitan area network (MAN), where each node is normally equipped with two pairs of fast-tunable transmitters and wavelength-fixed receivers (TT-FR) as interface to two fibers. To enhance the network performance, additional transmitters/receivers at nodes and receiver wavelengths should be assigned optimally, so that the bandwidth bottleneck can be resolved both on nodes and fiber links. This article formulates this node configuration problem with bandwidth bottleneck resolution as a combinatorial optimization problem, and proves the NP-completeness of its decision version. Then, it presents the two-phase heuristic algorithm composed of a greedy method and a variable depth search (VDS) method. Our algorithm is evaluated through extensive network simulations, where the results support the effectiveness of this joint assignment approach.

A traffic grooming problem of SONET-WDM rings

In this paper, we present a traffic grooming problem of the SONET-WDM ring. The objective is to minimize the total cost of optical add-drop multiplexers (OADMs) and inter-ring hub equipment, while satisfying intra-ring and inter-ring capacities. We develop integer programming (IP) formulations for the problem and devise some reformulations for enhancing the mathematical representation of the proposed IP model. By investigating the polyhedral structure of the problem, we develop some valid inequalities that provide a tight lower bound for the problem. Dealing with the inherent computational complexity of the problem, we also devise an effective tabu search procedure for finding a feasible solution of good quality within reasonable computation time. Computational results are provided to demonstrate the relative strength of the proposed formulations, and to reveal the efficacy of the lower and upper bound procedures for solving the problem.

Optimal Selection of Soft-combining Cells in a Multicast CDMA Network

This paper deals with one of the most important cell planning issues in a CDMA based multicast network. In a CDMA based wireless network, a terminal can significantly reduce the bit error rate via the cohesion of data streams from multiple base stations that share a common time line and are operated according to it. The cells whose base stations are operated as such are called soft-combining cells. Therefore, a terminal in a soft-combining cell can take advantage of error rate reduction, if the cell has at least one neighboring soft-combining cell. However, as soft-combining operation gives heavy burden to the network controller, the number of soft-combining cells should be limited. Our problem is to find a limited number of soft-combining cells such that each soft-combining cell has at least one neighboring soft-combining cell and that the sum of traffic demands of the selected cells is maximized.

A new approach for routing and wavelength assignment for permanent and reliable wavelength paths in wide all-optical WDM networks

This article proposes a new approach for routing and wavelength assignment (RWA) for permanent and reliable wavelength paths (WP) in wide all-optical WDM networks with wavelength continuity constraint. Given a number of available wavelengths on each optical fiber, for each simple link failure of the network, we seek to maximize the number of satisfied requests for connections. This is known as RWAP problem. In our algorithm, called RWA with Minimum Loaded Link for Permanent and Reliable wavelength paths (MLL-PR), routing is based on the search for the optimal path while trying to minimize the maximum load on the links of the network in order to minimize the maximum link capacity and then minimize the number of dropped lightpaths after any link failure. The wavelength assignment is based on a graph coloring method using tabu-search. A series of experiments using two well-known networks (ARPANET and NSFNET) have been carried out in order to evaluate the performance of our approach, in terms of the number of blocked demands, for different failure scenarios. Generally, our results are better than those provided by the current solving approaches taken as reference.

A connectivity-based approach for the construction of hierarchical WDM network topology

A hierarchical network model can effectively reduce the complexity of routing and wavelength assignment (RWA) in wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) networks compared to a flat model. However, the resource utilization may greatly suffer if the hierarchical architecture is not properly arranged. By considering the degree of each WDM node and the location effect, this paper proposes a systematic approach to construct the hierarchical topology in WDM networks so that resource utilization can be maximized. Simulation results demonstrate that the performance of the proposed scheme is superior to that of another scheme.

Optimizing complexity in Benes-type WDM switching networks

In this paper, we propose a new Benes-type wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical network with space-wavelength switching capability. Intuitively, adding wavelength switching capability to space Benes networks requires the use of additional hardware components (i.e., wavelength converters). However, in this paper, we show that a Benes network with full-permutation capability in both space and wavelength domains can be designed using a smaller number of hardware components but the same number of stages as that in a space-only Benes network. In addition, wavelength conversion in the proposed network occurs only between two pre-defined wavelengths, eliminating the need for any expensive wide-range wavelength converters. The proposed Benes network is based on the newly proposed concept of wavelength-exchangeable permutation networks. Wavelength-exchangeable networks implement single-step space and wavelength switching and hence reduces the number of hardware components. We show that, such wavelength-exchangeable networks possess some interesting properties that can be used for designing routing algorithms to improve signal quality.

A new lightpath establishing method for dynamic traffic grooming under the overlay model

This paper proposes the use of the saturated cut (SC) method to improve the network performance through efficient dynamic traffic grooming in IP/MPLS over WDM networks using an overlay model. With the SC information from the IP/MPLS layer, the optical layer can calculate a lightpath between two node sets rather than the earlier suggested approach of calculating such paths just between two nodes for better performance. We have used two criteria, bandwidth and path length, to find SCs and have proposed two algorithms which incorporate this in the path inflation control (PIC) policy proposed earlier. Two typical networks, NSF and COST239, were used for examining the network performance. The simulation results show that though both methods can significantly improve the overall network performance the SC method is more efficient for a sparse network like the NSF network rather than for a dense network like the COST239 network. Since calculating lightpaths for all node pairs for a SC is time consuming, we propose a considerably simpler heuristic approach that can provide almost the same level of performance improvement as the SC method but with much lower complexity.

A wavelength-buffering scheme for dynamic traffic in optical wavelength-division multiplexing networks

In optical wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) networks, traffic can be very “bursty” at a fine time scale, even though it may seem to be smooth at coarser scales (e.g., Poisson or Poisson-related traffic). This paper analyzes the instantaneous characterization of Poisson traffic at a fine time scale. The analysis shows that the irregular oscillation of the instantaneous traffic load and the occurrence of blockings in a light-loaded network are highly correlated. Specifically, most blockings occur concentratively at the peaks of the instantaneous load. In some other time, network resources may not be sufficiently utilized. To make better utilization of network resources, a novel wavelength-buffering (WB) scheme is proposed for the first time in this paper. By reserving a portion of resources in a “wavelength buffer” under light loading and releasing them when the load goes up, a number of blockings brought by the oscillation of the traffic load can be avoided. Simulation results show that compared with other schemes such as adaptive routing, wavelength conversion (WC), and rerouting, the novel wavelength-buffering scheme achieves significantly better performance with respect to the network utilization and overall blocking probability.

A tabu search heuristic for the routing and wavelength assignment problem in multigranular optical networks

This paper proposes a tabu search heuristic for solving the routing and wavelength assignment problem in multigranular optical networks, considering the wavelength-continuity constraint and a set of connections to satisfy. For a number of fibers per link, a number of wavebands per fiber, and a number of wavelengths per waveband, this algorithm attempts to minimize the total number of ports used in the network by efficiently grouping lightpaths into bands and fibers, and switching the whole bands and fibers. The algorithm has been implemented and tested on the NSFNET network, and comparisons have been made with the Balanced Path Routing and Heavy Traffic First (BPHT) algorithm in terms of number of ports. Generally, the results obtained with our tabu search heuristic are better than those provided by this algorithm.