End to End Connection Provisioning in MPLS-GMPLS Networks

DOE has recently deployed an advanced optical backbone, the Ultra-Science Net (USN), and maintains an advanced packet-switching core, the Energy Sciences Net (ESN). However, as scientists look to leverage these new resources, some critical challenges are beginning to emerge in the areas of multi-domain inter-networking. Specifically, there is a pressing need to achieve automated connection provisioning between circuit-based (GMPLS) and packet-based (MPLS) networks, in order to facilitate end-to-end connectivity for applications. This project will develop practical solutions (architectures, algorithms) for automated inter-domain MPLS-GMPLS connection provisioning and advance reservation. Phase I will: (1) develop complete control-plane architecture for automated provisioning of connections across hybrid interconnection of MPLS-GMPLS domains; (2) support both immediate and advance reservation modes, in order to develop detailed multi-domain MPLS-GMPLS routing and path computation/survivability schemes; (3) include considerations for topology abstraction, setup signaling, and grooming; (4) design/extend advance reservation schemes to multi-domain settings with partial (or no) inter-domain state knowledge; and (5) conduct a detailed performance-evaluation study of control-plane architecture and associated algorithms using simulation. Commercial Applications And Other Benefits as described by the Applicant: In addition to DOE and research community applications, the development of automated MPLS-GMPLS inter-networking solutions should provide benefits to the commercial sector, particularly network service providers and their end-user clients. The architectures and algorithms should be adapted into industry-grade software management packages, paving the way for automated inter-domain provisioning of both multi-gigabit and finer-precision sub-gigabit connections, i.e., with immediate and advance reservation