Virtual network reconfiguration in elastic optical path networks for future bandwidth allocation

Given the limited number of resources (i.e., frequency slots and transponders at optical switches) in elastic optical networks, one approach to accommodating traffic demand is for the network operator to offer a certain number of leased lightpaths in response to requests from service providers, while configuring a virtual network (VN) that accommodates the traffic demands of other consumers. It is essential to reconfigure the VN according to changes in traffic while setting aside resources for leased lightpaths and accommodating increased traffic demand on the VN. Our research group has proposed a VN reconfiguration method for traditional wavelength division multiplexing networks based on attractor selection, which is a model of the behavior by which living organisms adapt to unknown changes in their surrounding environment. However, simply adopting this method cannot make the best use of elastic optical networks since it assigns all wavelengths to accommodate the current traffic demand, which leads to a lack of resources for accommodating the future traffic demand. In this paper, we therefore propose a method for reconfiguring a VN over an elastic optical network. To set aside resources for future traffic demands, we newly define the potential bandwidth as a metric that reflects the bandwidth that can be additionally offered. Our method reconfigures a VN based on attractor selection using information about the service quality on the VN and the potential bandwidth, and it also adjusts the bandwidths of all the lightpaths that form the VN. The evaluation results show that our method can reconfigure a VN so the service quality on the VN is improved while keeping some resources unused.