Automatically switched optical network
Automatically Switched Optical Network (ASON) is a concept for the evolution of transport networks which allows for dynamic policy-driven control of an optical or SDH network based on signaling between a user and components of the network. Its aim is to automate the resource and connection management within the network. The IETF defines ASON as an alternative/supplement to NMS based connection management. The need for ASON In an optical network without ASON, whenever a user requires more bandwidth, there is a request for a new connection from the user to the service provider. The service provider must then manually plan and configure the route in the network. This is not only time consuming, but also wastes bandwidth if the user sparingly uses the connection. Bandwidth is increasingly becoming a precious resource and expectations from future optical networks are that they should be able to efficiently handle resources as quickly as possible. ASON fulfills some of the requirements of optical networks such as: Fast and automatic end-to-end provisioning Fast and efficient re-routing Support of different clients, but optimized for IP Dynamic set up of connections Support of optical virtual private networks (OVPNs) Support of different levels of quality of service (These