Cognitive optical networks: Need, requirements and architecture

This paper is proposing cognitive optical networks (COGNITION) as a new paradigm to address the increasing complexity of optical networks and provide an efficient autonomic as well as user-controlled network. Cognitive optical networks aim to introduce cognition on multiple planes (e.g. data plane, control plane, management plane, service plane, application layer) in order to perceive current network conditions, and then plan, decide and act on those conditions. The network can learn from these adaptations and use them to make future decisions, all while taking into account end-to-end goals. The ultimate goal of COGNITION is first to enhance optical network infrastructure by providing cognition on devices, systems and layers. The COGNITION architecture and its processes will be discussed throughout the paper.