A novel multicast mechanism for optical local area networks

In this paper, we propose a simple and efficient multicast scheduling algorithm, the Lookback Queue Access (LBQA) protocol for the employment in an asynchronous WDM optical star network. Network nodes use ALOHA based random access schemes to send their reservation packets over a common packet reservation control channel. A central traffic scheduler is allocated to coordinate message transmissions. The central scheduler carries out the LBQA scheme in real time in two phases. The first phase is to search (through input queues) for a candidate multicast message that can be sent, without partition, to all of its intended recipients. If phase 1 fails, the second phase is then activated to efficiently partition a multicast message into multiple transmissions. Performance results conducted via simulations have revealed that networks employing such a scheduling mechanism can exhibit superior network throughput levels and delay performances. To obtain sustainable high performances, we further propose an interconnected dual-star structure employed with the enhanced scheduling mechanism, the DS_LBQA algorithm. By using a simple heuristic approach, the DS_LBQA scheme is able to successfully exploit the inter data channels and properly utilize the wavelength reuse property of the intra data channels. Performance results have demonstrated the merits of deploying the DS_LBQA multicast algorithm in such a dual-star structure.

[1]  Teofilo F. Gonzalez,et al.  Multicasting using WDM in Multifiber Optical Star Networks , 2003 .

[2]  Kumar N. Sivarajan,et al.  Optical Networks: A Practical Perspective , 1998 .

[3]  Thomas E. Stern,et al.  Multiwavelength Optical Networks: A Layered Approach , 1999 .

[4]  Michael S. Borella,et al.  A reservation-based multicasting protocol for WDM local lightwave networks , 1995, Proceedings IEEE International Conference on Communications ICC '95.

[5]  Nen-Fu Huang,et al.  An isochronous and asynchronous traffic scheduling algorithm for dual-star WDM networks , 1996 .

[6]  E. Modiano,et al.  A novel medium access control protocol for WDM-based LAN's and access networks using a master/slave scheduler , 2000, Journal of Lightwave Technology.

[7]  A. S. Acampora,et al.  Protocols for Optical Star-Coupler Network Using WDM: Performance and Complexity Study , 1993, IEEE J. Sel. Areas Commun..

[8]  Eytan Modiano Random algorithms for scheduling multicast traffic in WDM broadcast-and-select networks , 1999, TNET.

[9]  Sagar Naik,et al.  A reservation-based multicast protocol for WDM optical star networks , 2004, IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications.

[10]  B. Mukherjee,et al.  WDM-based local lightwave networks. I. Single-hop systems , 1992, IEEE Network.

[11]  Hwa-Chun Lin,et al.  A hybrid multicast scheduling algorithm for single-hop WDM networks , 2001, Proceedings IEEE INFOCOM 2001. Conference on Computer Communications. Twentieth Annual Joint Conference of the IEEE Computer and Communications Society (Cat. No.01CH37213).

[12]  William Stallings,et al.  Data and Computer Communications , 1985 .

[13]  R. Ramaswami,et al.  Multiwavelength lightwave networks for computer communication , 1993, IEEE Communications Magazine.

[14]  Biswanath Mukherjee,et al.  The advantages of partitioning multicast transmissions in a single-hop optical WDM network , 1997, Proceedings of ICC'97 - International Conference on Communications.