Trends and issues in data transport over optical networks

The paper discusses the shortcomings of current day networks in transporting exponentially increasing data traffic. Bursty and unpredictable characteristics of data traffic would need thorough overhauling of existing networks. An all optical network architecture is envisaged for the future with electrical elements only in the access feeds. Various issues, techniques and architecture are discussed. The futuristic network is foreseen as an all optical, data centric one with mesh-ring-mesh topology, implementing QoS and distributed intelligence and management.