Topological design of optically switched WDM networks

The authors' research addresses some of the underlying design principles for a new class of metropolitan area networks (MANs) based on current lightwave technology, optically switched wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) networks. A unique feature of WDM networks is their ability to create many different virtual topologies on top of the given physical topology. The authors describe problems associated with the design of optically switched WDM networks, study the embedding of regular virtual topologies into regular and irregular physical topologies, tabulate some characteristics of embedded regular virtual topologies and provide a procedure for computing the maximum number of wavelengths required for virtual topology embeddings.<>