In a packet switching based scenario, optical technologies can not completely overcome the problem of insufficient network capacity, due to limitations produced by the presence of electronic switches and regenerators in the fibre path. As a new alternative approach, the SONATA project proposed a switch-less based network with the triple objectives of avoiding the need for large and fast switching nodes and drastically simplifying both the network structure and the layer architecture within the network. This paper describes the simulation model and presents essential results from the performance evaluation of a Network Controller for a large-scale SONATA network. The simulations were carried out on a Silicon Graphics Origin-2000 using TeD (Telecommunication Description language) and the main objective was to assess the feasibility of switchless based networks to be used as large IP backbones.

Peer Reviewed