Simplifying Optical DCN Fabrics with Blocking Space Switching and Wavelength-Constrained WDM

Abstract

The introduction of all-optical switching in data center interconnection networks (DCN) is key to addressing some of the shortcomings of state-of-the-art electronic switched solutions. Limitations in the port count, reconfiguration speed and cost of optical switches, however, require novel optical switching and DCN designs. We present the concept of a simplified DCN fabric that relies on a lean optical switch design of limited but scalable functionality that offers high reconfiguration speeds, real-time scheduling, efficient control and low equipment cost. To achieve these objectives, the proposed architecture relaxes the usual nonblocking switching requirements but opts for switching modules that are constrained in terms of the achievable space and wavelength input-output configurations. We analytically compare the functionality and complexity of the simplified fabric with those of a non-blocking switch. We evaluate the throughput performance of the simplified DCN fabric and compare it to that of other fabrics with a different level of functionality and centralized control.