Optical Networking Best Practices Handbook

2.6. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

This chapter reviews the optical signal processing and wavelength converter technologies that can bring transparency to optical packet switching with bit rates extending beyond that currently available with electronic router technologies. The application of OSP techniques to all-optical label swapping and synchronous network functions is presented. Optical WC technologies show promise to implement packet-processing functions. Nonlinear fiber WCs and indium phosphide optical WCs are described and research results presented for packet routing and synchronous network functions operating from 10 to 80 Gbps, with potential to operate out to 160 Gbps.

As discussed in this chapter, the role of networks is undergoing change and becoming a platform for value creation. The integration of information technology (IT) and networks will alter enterprise strategies and lifestyles. There are several factors in change that will create new services. These are virtual communities, peer-to-peer communication, grid computing, and ubiquitous communications. On the basis of the creation of these new services, network architecture also has to adapt. At the same time, networks have to accommodate steady traffic growth and guarantee profitability. There have been several technical innovations that will help such moves with new service creation and CAPEX/OPEX reductions. These are advanced control plane software, hybrid (layered) optical nodes, and next-generation DWDMs to provide ...