A scalable optically-switched datacenter network with multicasting

We demonstrate a scalable optical datacenter architecture with multicasting capability. The modular architecture relies on pods interconnected on a WDM fiber ring. Inter-pod traffic is handled on a per-wavelength basis, whereas slotted network operation allows fine switching granularity within the pod. Network operation and dynamic reconfiguration are enabled by the frequency-selectivity of a novel, phase agnostic coherent receiver scheme that obviates the need for DSP at the receiver. System performance is investigated through numerical simulations and successful operation is validated experimentally. Slotted network operation is demonstrated by means of an FPGA implementation.