Resource management in cloud and tactile-capable next-generation optical access networks

This paper introduces OCLDN, an agile, programmable, and scalable optical cloud distribution network, which exploits content distribution networks to deliver killer cloud and tactile services to end users at very high speeds, ultra-low latency, and low cost. With OCLDN, a software-defined-networking-based mini-cloud data center is installed at the central office of a next-generation passive optical network, which includes a cloud-based tactile steering server, and supports all types of cloud applications. These applications have stringent quality-of-service (QoS) requirements and, thus, require a fast, adaptive, and effective bandwidth allocation mechanism. Therefore, in this paper, we introduce a new dynamic wavelength and bandwidth allocation (DWBA) scheme that meets the QoS requirements of tactile services via dedicating it upstream wavelength(s), and also enables inter-channel statistical multiplexing so as to maximize the network throughput without impairing the QoS requirements for all types of services. Extensive simulations demonstrate the ability of the proposed DWBA to outperform existing schemes, and highlight its effectiveness in meeting the QoS demands for tactile and non-tactile services.