Enabling high availability over multiple optical networks

Carriers are gradually adopting a network model that consists of MPLS-capable routers and OXCs interconnected by high bandwidth WDM links for transporting IP and Ethernet traffic. A control plane can be used to deliver dynamic circuit provisioning in the transport layer, as well as bandwidth provisioning and traffic engineering in higher layers. Globalization drives the quest for end-to-end QoS guarantees over different carrier networks. Recovery mechanisms are crucial to reach the high availability requirements of critical services. In this article, we share our vision on how to enable high availability services, spanning multiple networks using failure protection techniques while complying with administrative constraints.