We propose a sliceable bandwidth variable transceiver (S-BVT) architecture suitable for metro/regional elastic networks and highly scalable data center (DC) applications. It adopts multicarrier modulation (MCM), either OFDM or DMT, and a cost-effective optoelectronic front-end. The high-capacity S-BVT is programmable, adaptive and reconfigurable by an SDN controller for efficient resource usage, enabling unique granularity, flexibility and grid adaptation, even in conventional fixed-grid networks. We experimentally demonstrate its multiple advanced functionalities in a four-node photonic mesh network. This includes SDN-enabled rate/distance adaptive multi-flow generation and routing/switching, slice-ability, flexibility and adaptability for the mitigation of spectrum fragmentation as well as for a soft migration towards the flexi-grid paradigm.

The fifth generation of mobile networks (5G) and the internet of Things (IoT) impose very stringent requirements to the optical transport networks. On the one hand, high flexibility, ultra-low latency and high capacity, in order to support the forecasted 1000x growth in mobile data traffic with latencies below millisecond. On the other hand, massive edge and core cloud infrastructure integrated with the transport network to dynamically deploy NFV, MEC, and IoT analytics. This paper presents ADRENALINTE testbed, an SDN/NFV packet/optical transport network and edge/core cloud platform for end-to-end 5G and IoT services.

We experimentally demonstrate multiple advanced functionalities of a cost-effective high-capacity sliceable-BVT using multicarrier technology. It is programmable, adaptive and reconfigurable by an SDN controller for efficient resource usage, enabling unique granularity, flexibility and grid adaptation, even in conventional fixed-grid networks

We design and implement programmable (SDNenabled) sliceable bandwidth/bitrate variable transceivers (S-BVTs) based on multicarrier modulation (MCM) with direct detection (DD), tailored for disaggregated metro networks. A first level of disaggregation is assessed by considering an S-BVT architecture composed of a set of white box bandwidth/bit rate variable transceivers (BVTs) from multiple manufaturers/providers. An OpenConfig vendor-neutral model is adopted for the implementation of the SDN agents that configure the S-BVTs according to the network requirements/targets. Additionally, a fully disaggregated metro network is envisioned by considering a fixed/flexi-grid dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) network with white box ROADM/OXC nodes. The impact of the filter narrowing effect is assessed considering different network node architectures based on either flexible wavelength selective switches (WSSes) or arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs). Thanks to the transceiver inherent modularity, flexibility and bit rate variability, up to 8 network nodes can be traversed ensuring a target capacity of 50 Gb/s per slice at a 4.62 • 10 −3 BER. Index Terms-Sliceable bandwith/bitrate variable transceiver (S-BVT), wavelength selective switch (WSS), filter narrowing effect, software defined networking (SDN), disaggregation, optical metro networks.

Software-defined networking (SDN) and disaggregation are key technologies to fulfill the requirements of 5G and beyond optical metro networks. Indeed, open networking solutions will reduce vendor lock-in, achieving increased flexibility and programmability of the network. SDN-enabled sliceable bandwidth/bitrate variable transceivers (S-BVTs) are proposed to be adopted in metro networks in order to provide sustainable capacity growth and hyper-scalability, while enabling disaggregation and network flexibility/reconfigurability. We propose a transceiver modular approach following a pay-as-you grow model, which allows the S-BVT to be adapted to the traffic demand and network requirements. In fact, the S-BVT solution can be seen as a set of bandwidth/bitrate variable transceivers (BVTs) that can be pluggable and multi-vendor. Hence, SDN agents have been developed based on an OpenConfig vendorneutral data model in order to efficiently reconfigure the S-BVTs fostering network agility and adaptability. Specifically, an optimized agent implementation is experimentally validated in order to increase the network efficiency and reduce the setup configuration time of an optical channel. Two slices/BVTs of 50 Gb/s each are successfully enabled and programmed to establish a high capacity flow of 100 Gb/s. The cost/power consumption of the proposed solution, based on direct detection (DD), is analyzed showing significant savings compared to 100 Gb/s coherent (CO) technology. Index Terms-Sliceable bandwith/bitrate variable transceiver (S-BVT), software defined networking (SDN), disaggregated optical networks.