Bandwidth Virtualization Enables a Programmable Optical Network

Average annual Internet Protocol (IP) traffic increases of 75% per year on average have significant implications on today's networks. These diverse challenges include accommodating higher-rate 40-Gbit/sec interfaces from IP core routers, which are expected to further scale to 100 Gbits/sec in the near term; supporting a wide range of services from 1 Gbit/sec to 100 Gbits/sec, including SONET/SDH, OTN, Fibre Channel, and video; and maximizing market competitiveness through speed of service turn-up. All the while, network operators must ensure operational simplicity for service planning, engineering, deployment, and operation.