Time constraints in an OTN semi-automatic control system

Studies concerning G-MPLS based optical networks have often so far neglected the effects of control procedures on the system performance: in path provisioning, in particular, set-up and tear-down of an optical circuit have been modelled as ideal events occurring instantaneously. Actually, the state-of-the-art optical networks are often equipped by semi- or nonautomatic control systems, characterized by manual or temporized procedures. These procedures enforce time constraints in the provisioning of optical circuits. Based on these constraints, in this paper we have classified a set of connection set-up and release policies and we have described how to associate these policies to realistic network control system layouts. Finally we have evaluated the effect on performance of the various policies, applying our control scenarios to the connections offered in two well-known case-study networks. Simulation results are analyzed and commented, keeping our conclusions independent of the specific control system realization and time scale.