Optical local area networks will provide a tremendous amount of bandwidth for future computer applications. However, current protocols for electronic networks are not sufficient for today's optical networks due to the lack of photonic switches needed for true packet based routing. While several optical protocols have been proposed, little or no development has occurred in the area of network management and network interconnectivity. Therefore, this dissertation has three major goals. First is to develop an optical protocol that puts most of the network intelligence into the hub, which will allow for some network management and control functions to be performed. Second is to provide the ability to interconnect this network to other networks. Third is to provide management and administrative functions that will keep individual nodes from bringing down the entire network when individual nodes fail.;In order to accomplish these tasks the entire network design and configuration has been provided. The major elements used are wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), tunable lasers, and tunable receivers. Using these hardware elements a new protocol has been developed that puts most of the network intelligence in the hub. The resulting protocol not only addresses the basic transmission of data, but also network management and control functionality. Additional elements addressed in the dissertation are network interconnectivity, network simulations, and design issues involved in deploying the new protocol.
展开▼
