NeTS-FIND Future Optical Network Architectures

这项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模块，实现光技术的全部潜力，并将能够支持指数增长的未来带宽需求。 光网络技术相对于当前网络技术的两个优势将实现所设想的解决方案：（i）提供比特率、格式和协议独立服务的能力，这是光透明性的直接结果;以及（ii）由于网络中传统的光-电-光（OEO）转换的显著减少，网络中的资本和运营费用较低。由于光学设备的行为与其电子对应物非常不同，或者甚至可能根本没有电子类似物，因此很明显，最佳光学网络架构（在成本和性能方面）将与互联网的当前电子网络架构不同。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一个关键区别是网络重新配置发生的时间尺度。在可预见的未来，光层的网络重新配置将保持缓慢和准静态。 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。这样的体系结构将显著地降低通信的每比特成本，并且将使高速服务能够相对较快地接入到大众，而电子体系结构将在未来许多年中继续仅服务于高端用户。 开发最佳的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烈交互但不同的子系统的单个实体，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可动态重新配置，并将通过无缝优化所有网络性能来实现各种新应用。在全系统优化的基础上，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。在这项研究中的使能体系结构概念是：（i）光流交换（OFS）及其对物理和高层体系结构的影响，以及（ii）损伤感知路由。这项研究的广泛影响将在宽带网络应用中感受到，并可能促进交互式远程学习、远程医疗、即时访问所有知识和信息的重大进展（虚拟图书馆）;以及沉浸式虚拟存在和无处不在的移动的无线网络。教育和研究将通过该计划的多学科环境进行整合。麻省理工学院将专注于（一）准备一个熟练的和多样化的劳动力，包括少数民族和妇女，（二）生成一个课程，这是研究启发，但也以行业实践为导向，（三）整合工程，技术和商业，以刺激技术转让，和（四）促进教育更广泛的社区。 该计划还将积极邀请西卡莫尔网络公司和思科公司的专家参与。

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.