Multi-layer resilience schemes and their control plane support

Network operators design and manage IP/MPLS and optical networks on a per-layer basis, to the point that they are run as different business areas within the operator. However, there are clear CAPEX and OPEX savings that network operators can achieve by simplifying the network infrastructure. Moreover, the evolution of optical equipment and the introduction of network programmability are accelerating the adoption of multi-layer schemes in real networks. This paper revisions the planning process considering resilience schemes for IP and optical networks. It also presents an evolutionary view on the control plane and SDN paradigms that enable the support of multi-layer schemes in real networks.