NeTS-FIND Future Optical Network Architectures

本研究的内在智力价值是创建一个优化的异构光网络架构，包括当前和未来的技术构建块，实现光技术的全部潜力，并能够支持指数级增长的未来带宽需求。光网络技术与目前的网络技术相比有两个优势，这将使设想的解决方案成为可能：(i)能够提供独立于比特率、格式和协议的服务，这是光透明性的直接结果；（ii）由于网络中传统的光-电子-光（OEO）转换的显著减少，网络的资本和运营费用降低。由于光学设备的行为与其电子设备非常不同，甚至可能根本没有电子类似物，因此很明显，最佳的光网络体系结构（在成本和性能方面）将与目前的互联网电子网络体系结构不同。当前网络（及其线性扩展）与主要研究人员设想的光网络之间的关键区别在于网络重构发生的时间尺度。在可预见的未来，光层的网络重构将保持缓慢和准静态的状态。然而，优化设计的全光网络将是动态的，需要在更短的时间尺度上重新配置。这种架构将显著降低每比特的通信成本，并将使大众能够相对较快地获得高速率服务，而电子架构在未来的许多年里将继续只服务于高端用户。开发最佳光网络架构将涉及现有网络层结构的重组和优化：(i)将架构、协议和物理层视为具有强交互但不同子系统的单一实体，以及（ii）采用可预见的技术以及建议革命性的硬件技术，以尽可能地利用光学的好处。由此产生的智能光网络将是动态可重构的，并将通过无缝优化所有网络性能来实现各种新应用。基于系统范围的优化，将开发最有效的交换、路由和传输机制，其中可能包括电子分组交换，作为高速网络上的重要覆盖层。本研究中的使能架构概念是：(i)光流交换（OFS）及其对物理和更高层架构的影响，以及（ii）损伤感知路由。这项研究将在宽带网络应用方面产生更广泛的影响，并可能促进互动式远程学习的重大进展；远程医疗;即时获取所有知识和信息（虚拟图书馆）；沉浸式虚拟存在和无处不在的移动无线网络。教育和研究将通过该计划的多学科环境相结合。麻省理工学院将专注于(1)培养包括少数民族和妇女在内的熟练和多样化的劳动力；(2)创建以研究为灵感，但也以行业实践为导向的课程；(3)整合工程、技术和商业以促进技术转让；(4)向更广泛的社区推广教育。该项目还将积极邀请Sycamore Networks和思科的专家参与。

The intrinsic intellectual merit of this proposed research is the creation of an optimized, heterogeneous optical network architecture, comprising current and future technology building blocks, that realizes the full potential of optical technology and that will be able to support exponentially increasing future bandwidth demands. Two advantages of optical networking technology over present-day networking technology that will enable the envisioned solution are: (i) the ability to offer bit-rate-, format- and protocol-independent services, which is a direct result of optical transparency; and (ii) lower capital and operational expenses in networks, owing to a significant reduction in conventional optical-electronic-optical (OEO) conversions in the network. Since optical devices behave very differently from their electronic counterparts or may not even have electronic analogs at all, it is clear that the optimum optical network architecture (in terms of cost and performance) will not be the same as the present electronic network architecture of the Internet. A key difference between current networks (and their linear extensions) and the optical networks that the principal investigators envision is the time-scale at which network reconfiguration occurs. For the foreseeable future, network reconfiguration in the optical layer will remain slow and quasi-static. However, optimally designed all-optical networks will be dynamic and require reconfiguration on much shorter time-scales. Such architectures will significantly lower the cost per bit for communication and will enable access of high rate services to the masses relatively soon, whereas electronic architectures will continue to serve only high-end users for many years to come. Developing an optimal optical network architecture will involve a restructuring and optimization of the existing network layer structure by: (i) treating architecture, protocols, and the physical layer as a single entity with strongly interacting, but distinct subsystems, and (ii) employing foreseeable technology as well as suggesting revolutionary hardware technology to exploit the benefits of optics wherever possible. The resulting intelligent optical network will be dynamically reconfigurable, and will enable various new applications by seamlessly optimizing network performance for all. Based on a system-wide optimization, the most efficient switching, routing and transport mechanisms will be developed, which will likely include electronic packet switching as an important overlay atop a much higher-speed network. The enabling architectural concepts in this research are: (i) optical flow switching (OFS) and its implications on physical and higher layer architectures, and (ii) impairment aware routing.The broader impact of this research will be felt in broadband network applications and potentially will facilitate major advances in interactive distant learning; telemedicine; instant access to all knowledge and information (virtual libraries); and immersive virtual presence and pervasive, mobile wireless networks. Education and research will be integrated through multidisciplinary environment of this program. MIT will focus on (i) preparing a skilled and diverse workforce, including minorities and women, (ii) generating a curriculum which is research-inspired, but also industry practice-oriented, (iii) integrating engineering, technology, and business to stimulate technology transfer, and (iv) promoting education to the broader community. This program will also actively involve experts from Sycamore Networks and Cisco.