An Optical Label Access Network based on Hierarchical Wavelength Label and Wavelength Interchange Methods

We present optical label access network (OLAN) architecture based on a hierarchical wavelength-label (lambda-label) and a simple wavelength-interchange (lambda-socket) methods. The architecture routes and transmits user's Internet protocol (IP) packets directly over the wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology. The two lambda-label and lambda-socket concepts are employed to build a simple, cost-effective OLAN, which can be scaled up to several terabits in traffic processing capacity, with using relatively low-cost optical elements and gigabit-performance switching apparatus such as gigabit Ethernet switches.