Efficient statistical multiplexing in the optical layer as a function of the reconfiguration speed requirements in a metropolitan area network

This work proposes a migration plan towards advanced optical switching networks in order to accommodate a rapid variation of the traffic profile funneled into a MAN/WAN. Three deployment stages are described; starting from the current quasi-static networks a migration to faster optical switching technology will be made plausible when these components become cost effective. The initial phase requires a carefully balanced engineering between the optical and electronic layers to avoid large inefficiencies and could be done introducing short duration slots with packet aggregation in larger frames/super packets under the control of an appropriate MAC protocol. The latter two phases delegate higher functionality to the optical layer allowing advanced statistical multiplexing within it.