Distributed optical testbed (DOT): a grid applications and optical communications testbed

The distributed optical testbed (DOT) is a wide area experimental grid infrastructure designed to facilitate the creation of new techniques for the efficient execution of distributed applications, supported by agile optical networks. The architecture of the testbed enables the close investigation of new methods for supporting distributed heterogeneous environments that are interconnected by high performance, application-addressable lightpaths. Currently, almost all grid implementations are supported through communication services based on non-adaptive, non-deterministic packet-routed data networks. The DOT architecture allows grid applications to take advantage of flexible, reconfigurable, and deterministic optical channels. By directly provisioning lightpaths, applications can enhance data communications by supplementing or by passing traditional data transport services. Experiments conducted on this testbed demonstrate that a significant potential exists for supporting grid applications through adaptive optical networking.