A PCE-based provisioning controller for software-defined transport networks

In this paper, we present a path computation element (PCE) based provisioning controller coupled with a OpenFlow (OF) controller for software-defined transport networking (SDTN). The main concept of the proposed approach is a unified provisioning controller based on a PCE that enables fast and error-free methods for path computation, provisioning, and configuration in SDTNs. The coordinating work between the provisioning controller and the OF controller improves the network programmability and reduces the operational expenditure to the network operators.