Dynamic impairment aware networking for transparent mesh optical networks: Activities of EU project DICONET

In order to realize the core networks of the future utilizing the translucent or transparent optical networks the DICONET vision is presented in this article. Providing ultra high-speed end-to-end connectivity with quality of service and high reliability through the exploitation of optimized protocols and lightpath routing algorithms that will complement a flexible control and management plane is integrated in the proposed solution. Physical layer impairments and optical performance are monitored and incorporated in impairment aware lightpath routing algorithms. These algorithms will be integrated into a novel dynamic network planning tool that would consider dynamic traffic characteristics, a reconfigurable optical layer, varying physical impairment and component characteristics. The network planning tool along with extended control planes will make possible to realize the vision of optical transparency possible. This article presents the DICONET framework, which address dynamic cross-layer network planning and optimization while considering the development of a future transport network infrastructure.