Abstract
This paper presents a complete design for an optical Internet router based on the component steps required for Internet protocol (IP) packet forwarding. Implementations of hop count decrement and header matching are integrated with a simulation-based approach to variable-length packet traffic merging that avoids recirculation, demonstrating an approach for an all-optical data plane. A method for IPv4 checksum computation is introduced, and this and previously designed components are extended from binary to higher-density (multiple bits per symbol) encodings. The implications of this design are considered, including the potential for chip-level and system integration, as well as the requirements of basic optical processing components.
Highlights
A router with an optical data plane is needed to support high-bandwidth communication on the Internet
This paper focuses on whether implementing an Internet router as an all-optical device is feasible by focusing on its four defining capabilities—hop count decrement, header lookup
For the eachneed component, including hop count decrement, This of exploration demonstrates for an optical data forwarding, plane for Internet routers and the checksum and multiplexing, we haveincluding demonstrated the feasibility of adecrement, relatively viability of computation, optical processing
Summary
A router with an optical data plane is needed to support high-bandwidth communication on the Internet. Optical packet switching can support the Internet’s multiplexing efficiency and flexibility, while avoiding costly and complex conversion from optical formats required for high-bandwidth, long-distance transmission. It differs from circuit switching, which can already be accomplished optically with micro-mirrors, wavelength selection, or electro-optical switches, but which is effective only for traffic that has very long and predictable patterns. This paper presents our experience implementing or simulating each function as optical processing of packets and the potential for future integration to a complete optical packet switching device, based on the existing requirements of Internet routers. An earlier version of this work was presented as an invited paper at SPIE Photonics West [1], updated with additional history (Section 1.2), significant clarifications (especially to Sections 5 and 6), a detailed discussion of the implications of our assumptions (in Sections 1.3 and 8), and details on recent related work on processing-compatible all-optical phase regeneration (Section 8)
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