Signaling for fast restoration in heterogeneous optical mesh networks

Abstract

With the advent of optical mesh networks, certain new protection schemes have been defined. This encompasses both local span and end-to-end path protection. But the implementations of these protection schemes have so far been based on proprietary mechanisms developed by each vendor. This has made it virtually impractical to construct a heterogeneous network with interoperable mesh protection schemes. Also, while the notion of a standard IP-centric control plane for optical networks based on Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) has gained wide acceptance, the work in this area has so far focused exclusively on connection provisioning rather than restoration. This paper defines standard, IP-based signaling protocols for restoration in optical mesh networks. These protocols focus on a new local span protection mode and end-to-end shared protection. The main requirements on these protocols are simplicity and speed. The signaling mechanisms described in this paper are complimentary to the GMPLS provisioning mechanisms.