Architecture and protocols for HORNET: a novel packet-over-WDM multiple-access MAN

Future Internet technologies will cause an evolution in metropolitan area networks throughout the following decades. To keep pace with the development of Internet access technologies and devices, we have created a novel architecture called HORNET. Through the use of ultra-fast tunable transmitters and packet-over-WDM technology, HORNET is optimized for the metro area traffic of the future. We have developed a novel media access protocol and a novel survivability protocol for HORNET that we describe here. Also, we have generated successful experimental results, including a demonstration of the media access protocol and 4-ns wavelength switching durations in the tunable transmitter.