Network applications and economic considerations for fully flexible multi-way ROADM/optical cross-connect architectures

This paper examines the flexibility and resilience requirements for multi-way ROADMs/optical cross-connects in different network applications and the resulting economic implications for different architectures. It goes on to review how optical (wavelength) switching can be cost effectively employed to complement electrical (OTN and/or packet) switching in next generation network architectures, and the further requirements that this implies.