High performance transmission protocols for WDM multi-channel slotted ring networks

Abstract

This study evaluates a high performance transmission protocol for WDM multi-channel slotted ring networks. The evaluated protocol can utilize the bandwidth of networks efficiently and reduces the implementation complexities that constrain other related protocols such as SRR. The protocol allows every node to inspect the usage status of all channels. According to these status, a node can select an appropriate channel for transmitting packets from among the free channels through appropriate selection schemes. The evaluated network architecture is similar to HORNET. This study also proposes and evaluates two selection schemes. In addition, to resolve the fairness problem frequently encountered in ring-type networks, a fairness mechanism based on the multi-metaring protocol is used to provide fair access to the network between nodes. Simulation results demonstrate that the evaluated protocol with the proposed selection scheme can achieve nearly optimal channel utilization under balanced traffic. Moreover, the incorporation of the fairness mechanism also reveals excellent throughput.