Light-Trails: A Solution to IP Centric Communication in the Optical Domain

Abstract

We propose a solution for implementing a conceptual framework for IP centric communication in the optical domain. The solution, termed Lighttrails, is a combination of node architecture and protocol for realizing efficient optical communications from IP bursts to dynamic lightpaths. It is a paradigm shift from conventional optical communication modes, in supporting amongst others, very fast optical connection set up and tear down for burst of lightpaths communication, dynamic and highly bandwidth efficient sub-lambda provisioning. Light-trails also provide a first solution to optical multicasting, a key element for many of the emerging services that motivate the need for optical capacity. Contrary to existing proposals for IP type communication in the optical domain light-trail node architecture also presents the first practically implementable solution to enable optical transport with mature technology, non stringent optical switching requirements, and presenting a much more cost effective alternative to electronics.