UltraFlow access networks: A dual-mode solution for the access bottleneck

UltraFlow: Elastic, flexible and dual-mode long-reach optical access network

“…In our previous studies [2][3][4][5], UltraFlow access network, as well as most commercial optical networks, utilizes fixed 50 or 100 GHz wavelength grid standardized by ITU-T [7]. However, fixed grid has various disadvantages.…”

“…However, emerging bandwidth-intensive applications such as high definition (HD) video streaming, 4k ultra high definition (UHD) television and large file transfer (≥ 10 Gbps) have caused a stringent burden on the IP routing overhead. Consequently, Optical Flow Switching (OFS) has been proposed as an possible solution in which a Flow connection, with dedicated lightpaths, bypasses IP routers so as to enable efficient end-to-end optical communication for large data volume [1][2].…”

“…Conventional IP network still offers the flexibility in handling bursty traffic, which is especially important in access network. Therefore, we proposed and experimentally demonstrated [2][3] the Stanford UltraFlow access network, a novel access technology that enables dual-mode service, IP and Flow, to the end-users, as shown in Fig. 1.…”

Multicast service for ultraflow access networks

“…Furthermore, the possibilities of OFS as enabler of new services in the residential access area have not been studied in depth. We claim that in the next future there will be a proliferation of networked services that will require ultra-low latency [3], and that it is technical and economically viable to deliver such ultra-low latency OFS services if cloud services are physically pushed toward the user in the access-metro area. To show this, we study the UltraFlow Access [4], a novel optical access network architecture that enables the coexistence of OFS and IP services over the same optical distribution network (ODN).…”

Integrating a next-generation optical access network testbed into a large-scale virtual research testbed

“…However, the design of an OFS-enabled access network, which bridges the end-user premises with the OFS Metro/Core, nor the possibilities of OFS as enabler of new services in the residential access area, have been thoroughly studied. Indeed, future networks are envisioned to bring a proliferation of networked services that will require ultra-low latency [3]. There is a need to find a way to deliver such ultra-low latency services by pushing cloud services toward the user in the access-metro area.…”