Abstract
In this paper, we propose a protocol for protection and restoration in optical ring networks based on a centralized server and an integrated control plane for fast turnaround, signaling and integrated provisioning. We propose a direction towards a new signaling and resource reservation protocol design in this respect and it is assumed that the protocol state machines will also be assigned to nodes in the optical network for the purpose of control and load balancing of resource reservations using SRLG. The server thus forms the dual purpose structure block of optical access signaling scenario support besides resource reservation and protection and recovery of paths being set up.