N Hop a Kind Resource Assignment Method for Optical WDM Networks

This paper introduces a new resource allocation mechanism for Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) networks. The simple yet effective method introduced in this paper assigns the resources of a dynamically calculated route without needing an optimization solver. By minimizing the number of Lambda conversions at each node using this method, up to 8% more success rate can be achieved compared to assigning the resources using First Fit (FF) with continuity constraint. This method also results in up to 35% less energy usage compared to assigning the resources using First Fit without continuity constraint. The name of N Hop A Kind is after a winning combination of the game of Poker in which a hand with “n of a kind” wins.