Applications of P4-based Network Programmability in Optical Networks

Abstract

This paper presents potentials and challenges of disaggregated metro-edge networking based on open packet-optical nodes encompassing coherent pluggable modules, SONiC open operating system, and P4-based packet switching programmability.

SDN Control of Packet-Optical Edge Network Nodes

“…Further evolution of packet-optical nodes at the edge may be driven by the introduction of programmable packet forwarding ASICs, e.g., based on P4 technology [9].…”

“…Another gap to be filled is the coordination between packet and optical parameters on the same node, which are often provided by two different SDN controllers. Indeed, in traditional control plane architectures, packet-related configurations are typically enforced by an SDN Controller dedicated to the packet domain (i.e., PckC), while optical parameters are configured by a different SDN controller dedicated to the optical domain (i.e., OptC) [7][8][9].…”