Routing and Restoration in IP/MPLS over Optical Networks by Means of Ant Colony Optimization

The management of multilayer networks is often a complex task, since each layer is typically independently operated and maintained, and there is a lack of shared network resource knowledge between layers. In this work, we have illustrated that Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithms can be a suitable solution for coordinated management of disjoint IP/MPLS and optical layers with limited or no visibility between the control planes of each layer. ACO algorithms are used to achieve fully-distributed multilayer routing policies in IP/MPLS-over-optical networks. Simulations have demonstrated that ACO-based policies can achieve lower levels of blocking probability and higher levels of restorability for IP/MPLS connections compared to fixed-alternate policies in almost all cases.