Design of Stacked Self-Healing Rings Using a Genetic Algorithm

Ring structures in telecommunications are taking on increasing importance because of their self-healing properties. We consider a ring design problem in which several stacked self-healing rings (SHRs) follow the same route, and, thus, pass through the same set of nodes. Traffic can be exchanged among these stacked rings at a designated hub node. Each non-hub node may be connected to multiple rings. It is necessary to determine to which rings each node should be connected, and how traffic should be routed on the rings. The objective is to optimize the tradeoff between the costs for connecting nodes to rings and the costs for routing demand on multiple rings. We describe a genetic algorithm that finds heuristic solutions for this problem. The initial generation of solutions includes randomly-generated solutions, complemented by seed solutions obtained by applying a greedy randomized adaptive search procedure (GRASP) to two related problems. Subsequent generations are created by recombining pairs of parent solutions. Computational experiments compare the genetic algorithm with a commercial integer programming package.     

Cost-Effective Migration from Sub-Lambda to Wavelength-Based Metro Networks

This article will discuss the importance of hybrid coexistence of sub-lambda grooming with wavelength-based services for driving down costs and maximizing the use of metro bandwidth, as well as enabling next-generation lambda-based services. The article will also address migration to all optical metro networks.     

Cost-Effective Migration from Sub-Lambda to Wavelength-Based Metro Networks

This article will discuss the importance of hybrid coexistence of sub-lambda grooming with wavelength-based services for driving down costs and maximizing the use of metro bandwidth, as well as enabling next-generation lambda-based services. The article will also address migration to all optical metro networks.     

Driving Innovation in Optical Networking: 30 Years of Research and Development Results from Circuit to Packet Transport

Abstract

Over the past 30 years, network applications have changed with the advent of innovative services spanning from high-speed broadband access to mobile data communications and to video signal distribution. To support this service evolution, optical transport infrastructures have changed their role. Innovations in optical networking have not only allowed the pure “bandwidth per fiber” increase, but also the realization of highly dependable and easy-to-manage networks. This article analyzes the innovations that have characterized the optical networking solutions from different perspectives, with a specific focus on the advancements introduced by Alcatel-Lucent's research and development laboratories located in Italy. The advancements of optical networking will be explored and discussed through Alcatel-Lucent's optical products to contextualize each innovation with the market evolution.     

Comparing Metaheuristic Algorithms for Sonet Network Design Problems

This paper considers two problems that arise in the design of optical telecommunication networks when a ring-based topology is adopted, namely the SONET Ring Assignment Problem and the Intraring Synchronous Optical Network Design Problem. We show that these two network topology problems correspond to graph partitioning problems with capacity constraints: the first is a vertex partitioning problem, while the latter is an edge partitioning problem. We consider solution methods for both problems, based on metaheuristic algorithms. We first describe variable objective functions that depend on the transition from one solution to a neighboring one, then we apply several diversification and intensification techniques including Path Relinking, eXploring Tabu Search and Scatter Search. Finally we propose a diversification method based on the use of multiple neighborhoods. A set of extensive computational results is used to compare the behaviour of the proposed methods and objective functions.     

Comparison and performance of routing protocols in SONET based networks

In this paper, comparison of various protocols used in the SONET based networks has been investigated in terms of the performance characteristics like end-to-end queuing delay, end-to-end link throughput, link utilization, etc. By creating a model to simulate the packet flow within a SONET DCC network characteristics of two routing protocols, the RIP (routing information protocol) and OSPF (open shortest path first) defined in the G.7712 standard are analyzed. Finally on comparing all the performance characteristics of the two routing protocol it is observed that OSPF protocol achieves better performance and is the least obtrusive on network operations.     

Beyond the LAN: Ethernet’s Evolution into the Public Network

This article details the evolution of Ethernet into Gigabit Ethernet and how this LAN-based technology has undergone major transformations over time. From its data rates and distances to supported media and functionality, Ethernet has greatly improved, enabling it to surmount many of its former limitations and in so doing to expand beyond the LAN into the MAN and now even the WAN. In this article, Pioneer Consulting explores the evolution further by focusing on some of the major technological directions in the Ethernet equipment industry.