Challenges in deploying an all-optical mesh network

Driven by operations and capital cost savings mesh networks with intelligent switching systems interconnecting point-to-point WDM systems with transponders are being deployed today. There is a potential for further cost savings by eliminating optical-to-electrical conversion at the intermediate nodes. However, that introduces significant challenges in terms of intelligent network functions and flexibility. In this talk we will discuss these challenges and the requirements to overcome those in an all-optical network.