Seminari: "Networking devices, systems and technologies that enable Elastic Optical Networks"

The purpose of this lecture is to present and discuss diverse aspects of devices, systems and technologies that enable Elastic Optical Networking. We will start by briefly reviewing the latest trends in adaptable optical transmission, namely, diverse bandwidth-variable transponder architectures that support multiple bit-rates and modulation formats according to traffic requirements. In the main part of the lecture, we will cover recent developments and breakthroughs in advanced optical networking. Some examples include novel technologies on spectrum-selective switches, colorless/directionless/contentionless reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers, and Architecture on Demand. Then, we will discuss challenges of rou ting bandwidth-variable signals in flexible-grid networks, evolving from classical routing and wavelength assignment towards routing and spectrum assignment. Finally, diverse control-layer aspects will be highlighted, including Software Defined Networking, to handle future network infrastructure complexity. Through the lecture, practical use cases and ongoing R&D activities at CPqD will be presented and discussed.