Virtual network provisioning over distance-adaptive flexible-grid optical networks [Invited]

In software-defined optical networks (SDONs), network services are provided in terms of virtual optical networks (VONs). VON provisioning requires additional considerations regarding their optical characteristics and constraints compared to virtual networks offered in the electrical domain. In this paper, we present a new VON provisioning procedure that is specifically designed for distance-adaptive flexible-grid optical networks. Simulations show up to three times increase in network capacity by leveraging the combined effect of flexible node mapping and distance-adaptive modulation.