Recent developments in and challenges of photonic networking technologies

The transport network paradigm is changing as evidenced by IP convergence and the divergence of architectures and technologies. Harnessing the full power of light will spur the creation of new broadband and ubiquitous services networks. To attain this, however, not only must photonic technologies be optimized, but they must also be coordinated with complementary electrical technologies. With regard to photonic network design technologies, further developments are necessary including very large scale network design, quasi-dynamic network design, and multi-layer optical path network design.