An Automatic Model-based Reconfiguration and Monitoring Mechanism for Flexible GMPLS-based Optical Networking Testbeds

Abstract

Testbeds play a key role in the evolution of GMPLS-based Intelligent Optical Networks (ION) proving grounds in which new optical networking research ideas (e.g., new constraint-based routing algorithms) can be tested and evaluated. In order to be a productive experimentation environment, a GMPLS optical network testbed should be flexible, allowing the reconfiguration of as many different network topologies and configurations as possible. But usually this flexibility comes at the expense of high management costs when switching from one scenario to another is performed through time-consuming error-prone manual procedures. This paper describes an automatic model-based deployment mechanism that overcomes the limitations of manual reconfigurable testbeds, allowing high flexibility without involving high management costs. The modelbased approach is not only suitable for deployment (and undeployment) but also for monitoring. The practical application of the mechanism to ADRENALINE testbed (a GMPLS-based all-optical transport network developed at CTTC) with the ADNETCONF tool is also described.