Dynamic converged optical network architectures

A fundamental challenge at this point of optical networking evolution, is to develop novel unifying technologies and solutions that are controlled by an intelligent control and management plane and achieve convergence in multiple levels of the network operation (i.e. access / metro / core network segments, optical / wireless technology domains, optical / network / service layer integration, optical circuit / burst / packet switching paradigms, single / multiple domain networks), thus reaching an optical infrastructure that will enable optimum and efficient end-to-end service delivery with the required performance guarantees. The presentation will address solutions for achieving this converged framework. Emphasis will be given on the activities of relevant EU research projects from which recent results will be highlighted.