Optical Networks Functional Evolution and Control Technologies

In this paper the current trends in the optical networking including the physical components, technologies and control architectures are discussed. The possible interaction schemes and implementation models of the automatic communication between applications and network as well as between ASON/GMPLS based network domains are proposed. Finally, the related research activities based on simulation results of control plane dimensioning are illustrated and real test bed experiments on OIF worldwide interoperability demonstration and the ongoing European IST project MUPBED are disseminated. key words: optical network, control plane, ASON, GMPLS