Improved Method for Evaluation of Network Throughput and Protection in Future Optically Switched Metropolitan Networks

In this work we investigate the performance of optical packet/burst switched (OPS/OBS) architectures connected as mesh and as ring topologies, for future optical metropolitan networks. Network throughput and protection to link failure under uniform traffic distribution for all nodes is investigated in order to evaluate the sensitivity of OPS/OBSN performance. Our results are based on analysis of simulations and comparison between various mesh (Manhattan St. type) and ring topologies. We also consider the detailed traffic distributions over the network links and the impact caused by failure of more or less loaded links, thus providing a way to select links that require protection.