Cross-layer reconfigurable optical network: Fast failure recovery in testbed for routing algorithms

The challenges awaiting future data networks are not only the sine qua non issue of high bandwidth, but also failure resiliency and power consumption. This can be addressed by a cross-layer physical impairments awareness permeating the network, whose elements can then be reconfigured on the fly so as to optimize transmission capacity, energy efficiency, and recovery time. We demonstrate an impairment-aware optical networking testbed, capable of quickly recovering from a router failure using optical bypasses. Its architecture aims at validating novel network and routing algorithms designed to minimize a global cost function which will take into account all relevant constraints.