Exploiting differentiated filter configuration in fixed and flex-grid optical networks

The SDN-based differentiated filter configuration (DFC) is proposed for optical networks. According to DFC, the passband of the filters traversed by the same connection can be configured to different values. Experiments including data and control planes are shown to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed DFC with a 1 Tb/s super-channel based on time frequency packing. DFC relies on SDN control plane using OpenFlow. The effectiveness of SDN-based DFC is demonstrated in a testbed with both wavelength selective switches and spectrum selective switches, where filters traversed by a connection require different passband values. Extended OpenFlow messages supporting DFC have been captured and shown as part of the experimental results.