Heterogeneous control and transport topologies in optical networks

In emerging optical network solutions such as those employing GMPLS (generalized multiprotocol label switching) control planes it is proposed that the control plane and the transport plane operate in separate physical networks. This separation allows for transport plane light-paths that are electrically terminated only at edge devices. As such, interior switches are totally independent of the protocol, bit rate, and optical multiplexing used in the transport. In such a network, a standardized control plane network is implemented in parallel to the transport plane to allow signaling and routing information to be terminated at each node even if the node is blind to the transport traffic. This paper discusses results obtained from simulations of such networks. These simulations were performed using NS-2 (Network Simulator version 2).