GMPLS. Towards a Common Control and Management Plane : Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching in Optical Transport Networks (GMPLS)

The massive introduction of technical advances in the Transport Network (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing, optical Crossconnects and Add Drop multiplexers), forced by bandwidth demand growth, creates new needs to manage it in an efficient and integrated way via a Common Control and Management Plane..The Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching has been for several years the subject of IETF activity for definition of a Common Control and Management Plane. Multiprotocol Label Switching and existing Signalling and Routing Protocols are extended to achieve it. This article provides and overview of Transport Network evolution, describes the main functionality of GMPLS protocols and the extensions to existing protocols in Routing and Signallingo and reviews the current status and outstanding issues to be solved prior to a wide deployment. A view on the related activities on Optical Transport networks by telecommunication standards organizations is given to complete the picture.