Virtualized passive optical metro and access networks

This paper outlines and proposes the vision of an open architecture framework for a virtualized passive optical metro access network. An open lambda environment based on this architecture framework and its benefits to different stakeholders are described. The paper provides analogous comparisons with existing proposals and discusses two practical examples of applying this architecture framework in a metro-access network and in mobile backhaul. Socio-economic impacts, challenges, as well as possible directions in standardization are analyzed.