Danilo Bórquez-Paredes

The lack of standards in the performance evaluation of new resource allocation algorithms in multicore fiber elastic optical networks (MCF-EONs) compromises the fairness when comparing them with the state of the art. This paper reviews the different transmission parameters, network parameters, performance metrics, and baselines used by the recent proposals to build a framework for future benchmarking of such algorithms according to the nature of the network operation, whether static or dynamic. This framework aims to provide standards regarding evaluation criteria, scenarios, and performance metrics, as well as recommendations concerning technology advances to promote methodology and reproducibility in further related studies.

This paper explores the implementation of a buffer allocation strategy within Elastic Optical Networks (EONs) to manage connection requests that cannot be immediately allocated. The proposed strategy was evaluated using NSFNet and EuroCore topologies, employing RSA and RMSA algorithms. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in blocking probability with the application of the buffer, especially in lower traffic loads. Nevertheless, this approach led to quality of service challenges and introduced a head-of-line blocking issue. The paper discusses future research directions focusing on achieving a balanced trade-off and exploring multiband contexts.

Network virtualization is a key enabling technology for “Infrastructure as a Service” provisioning, increasing the flexibility and cost savings offered to customers. By extending the concept of server virtualization to the network infrastructure, the allocation of different, independent virtual networks over a single physical network is carried out on demand. A fundamental challenge in network virtualization systems is to choose which physical nodes and links to use for hosting virtual networks in the physical infrastructure, known as the “virtual network allocation” problem. All virtual network allocation proposals on elastic optical networks assume a centralized operation, deploying a single node with access to the network state global information and assigning resources accordingly. However, such configuration might exhibit the inherent problems of centralized systems: survivability and scalability. In this paper, we present a distributed protocol for resource discovery, mapping, and allocation of network virtualization systems. The distributed protocol is generic enough as to be used with different substrate networks. However, in this paper, it has been adapted to work over an elastic optical network infrastructure, where further considerations regarding the spectrum continuity and contiguity constraints must also be taken into account. The distributed protocol is based on the concept of alliances: upon the arrival of a virtual network request, agents located in the physical network nodes compete to form the first alliance able to host the virtual network. Because the first alliances to be formed are also the ones composed by nearby nodes, a good network resource usage is achieved. The feasibility of the distributed protocol was studied by evaluating its ability to successfully establish virtual networks within acceptable time and with low bandwidth consumption from the coordination messages.

A common problem in elastic optical networks is to study the behavior of different resources allocation algorithms, such as signal modulation formats or quality of service, in optical networks in dynamic scenarios where connections are assigned and released following different traffic profiles. To achieve this, one of the busiest tools is simulators. Normally each research group has its own simulator created entirely by them, which works on a particular simulation scenario, generating multiple versions of the same simulator. For this reason, this project aims to create a tool that allows focusing on the creation of algorithms, generating a common platform for simulation. We present a C ++ library that contains the most common modules belonging to an event-oriented simulator for flexible grid optical networks. This library allows researchers to worry about algorithm generation rather than maintaining/modifying a simulator. The final product is a library capable of being included in any program written in C ++, allowing the design of resource allocation algorithms through macros used in the same source file of the user that uses the library.