An efficient multicast routing algorithm in WDM networks

With the rapid development of high-performance networking technologies, multicast routing with lightpath has become a very important and challenging issue in the field of the wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) network. We present an efficient heuristic algorithm that sets up and releases the lightpaths for multicast routing in WDM networks. A distinguishing feature of our algorithm is that it not only minimizes the number of wavelengths required for multicast demand, but also minimizes the hop length of all multicast networks. The performance of the algorithm is analyzed through simulation and compared with the random wavelength multicast algorithm. Our algorithm achieves much better call-connection probability than the previous algorithm.