Design of automatically switched optical networks

Due to the advances in optical component technology and the desired integration of the technological network layers, more significant professional attention is being paid to the concept and the emerging technology of automatically switched optical networks (ASON). The intelligent switching capabilities enable more dynamic networking, which may change the network characteristics significantly. The study of these changing characteristics is required in order to provide a firm basis for strategic network development decisions. After a brief overview of the ASON technology, the paper illustrates the potential advantages and drawbacks due to the dynamic behavior of the optical network. The analysis of numerical results from small network examples helps to highlight the main networking features of dynamic provisioning of optical channels. Based on the results of network simulations, a comparison of semi-permanent and switched connection based services is performed, taking into account different source activities. Finally, a quantitative analysis is given of the expected network resource savings originating from the statistical gains of automatic switching.