Ethernet burst transport for next generation optical metro networks

The main requirement for the Next Generation Transport Network infrastructure is a flexible and efficient support of different services, demanding for several levels of Quality of Service (QoS) and resilience. In order to have an effective utilization of network resources, and the ability to react to traffic demand changes with time, such multi-service next generation transport networks, should be, to some extend, self-adapting. This requirement are pushing the migration from the traditional legacy circuit based transport networks towards integrated packet optical solutions. The need to introduce packet flexibility into the optics world relying on huge and reliable static pipes, without impacting the scalability of the nodes has lead to multilayer solutions such as current MSPP and POTP platforms based on multiple switching layers (i.e. packet, OTN and optical). This however requires complex control plane functionalities that limit their effectiveness and flexibility. This paper presents a new approach for next generation optical packet transport, based on a pure Layer 2 switching, that is Ethernet compliant since it does not require changes in Ethernet frame format and main Ethernet switch functionalities. It relies on a burst transmission structure that allows to reduce packet processing without introducing underlaid switching layers and consequently to scale switch forwarding functionalities. It could be regarded as a concrete step towards the realization of self-adapting networks. Some relevant simulation results are reported to discuss the main characteristics of such a new transport solution and assess the feasibility of the concept.