A simple MAC protocol for WDM metropolitan access ring networks

This article considers a WDM slotted-ring network architecture. Used as a metropolitan access network, it is shown through simulation results how a simple MAC protocol can be implemented to achieve fairness between access nodes. Excellent queuing delay and packet dropping probability results are obtained assuming that a maximum load threshold is not exceeded. Further developments are proposed to improve the efficiency, introduce congestion avoidance mechanisms and add QoS capabilities by implementing intelligence within the network access nodes.