A system framework for information assurance in AONs

Abstract

All-optical Networks (AONs) are unique in that they support many optical wavelengths , which use optical amplifiers, optical add/drop multiplexers and optical switches or cross-connects. They contain only optical components and are intrinsically different from optical networks currently being used. Note that many of the security problems present in traditional electronic or electro-optic networks are still to be found in AONs. Moreover, for AONs’s service disruption is most easily achieved in optical amplifies, while the tapping or eavesdropping is most easily achieved through nonlinearities in transmission fiber. These types of attacks on AON will thwart data security. In order to assure information in AONs which have a minimum privacy and quality of service (QoS), this paper presents an analysis of attacks in AONs and propose a conceptual system framework for information assurance in AONs.