Optical code label and its applications to photonic networkings: An approach to optical grid

Abstract

In the future photonic network, network applications such as grid computing and wide-area distributed SANs (storage area networks) will be realized on a new network platform called the “optical grid.” In this paper, an optical grid is studied, which would provide a network platform to networked applications such as grid computings in the future photonic network. The optical code (OC) label, an identifier for data flow, is an enabler due to its ultrafast processing capability. First, the variable-capacity OC-labeled path and optical code division multiplexed (OCDM) path are studied, which allow one to simultaneously set up a number of connections on a single wavelength path. Next, optical path setup using OC-labeled control packet, which bears the signaling message, is presented and experimentally demonstrated. This enables one to ultimately reduce the overhead time of the optical path setup. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 88(12): 1–10, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.20241