Elastic Traffic Effects on WDM Dynamic Grooming Algorithms

Traffic grooming in IP over WDM networks introduces a coupling between the optical layer and the IP layer. Grooming algorithms are normally studied with a very simple traffic model that completely ignores this interaction. This paper compares the performance of two simple grooming algorithms with a traditional, Poisson based traffic model and a more complex one that takes into account the IP traffic elasticity and the inherent interaction between the IP routing and the optical layer. Simulation results, supported by heuristic considerations and a very simple analytical model highlighting the interaction effects, show that ignoring the two layer interaction is not correct and may lead to wrong conclusions.