An investigation into routing algorithms for optical networks

互联网的骨干现在是光网络。它不再需要依赖更昂贵的电子-光学转换，这通常会导致节点上的瓶颈。然而，光网络的缺点是它们依赖于波分复用传输，在这种传输中，需要确保路由的所有链路上都有一个共同的波长，以保证连接不被阻塞。因此，网络的有效利用高度依赖于良好的波长分配和路由算法。整数线性规划的一种优化技术，已经在这方面证明了它的价值。然而，它需要一组固定的连接，并且速度太慢，无法适应更动态的市场。此外，随着诸如光交换等新技术的出现，需求变得更加动态，例如引入按需宽带，将需要其他方法。需要数学专业知识来推导合适的数学公式，并开发优化波长分配和路由算法。通过为在其他环境中具有丰富优化方法经验的人提供机会，让他们熟悉这个主题，我们希望得出一些新颖的方法。灵感可能来自其他领域的优化方法，如图形着色，而解决方法的差距将为数学界提供进一步的挑战。此外，通过共同努力建立的协作应该使我们能够在新兴技术的预期中开发合适的路由方法。人们希望，这将为英国大学和工业界在技术和光网络使用模式的变化中提供竞争优势。

The backbone of the internet is now an optical network. It no longer has to rely on more costly electronic-optical conversion which typically led to bottlenecks at the nodes. However, the drawback of optical networks is that they rely on wavelength-division multiplexing transmission in which a common wavelength needs to be assured on all links of a route for the connection not to be blocked. Efficient use of the network is therefore highly dependent upon good wavelength-assignment and routing algorithms. An Optimisation technique, of Integer Linear Programming, has already proved its worth in this context. However, it requires a fixed set of connections and is too slow to adapt to more a dynamic market. Moreover, as new technologies emerge, the such as optical switching, and demand becomes more dynamic, for example with the introduction of Broadband-on-demand, alternative approaches will be required. Mathematical expertise will be needed to derive suitable mathematical formulations and to develop optimisation wavelength assignment and routing algorithms.By providing the opportunity for someone with broad experience of optimisation methods in other contexts, to familiarise themselves with this topic, we hope to derive some novel approaches. Inspiration may be drawn from optimisation approaches in other domains, such as Graph Colouring, and gaps in solution method will provide further challenges to the Mathematics community. In addition, the collaboration built up by working together should enable us to develop suitable routing methods in anticipation of emerging technologies. It is hoped that this will provide UK universities and industry with a competitive edge from changes in technology and modes of use of optical networks.