Algorithmic Aspects in Planning Fixed and Flexible Optical Networks With Emphasis on Linear Optimization and Heuristic Techniques

From an algorithmic perspective, planning and operating optical networks falls in the broad category of network optimization problems. We give a short introduction on algorithmic techniques that can be used to solve network optimization problems, emphasizing on linear optimization and heuristics. We present examples of applying these techniques to optimize resource allocation during the planning of optical networks. In particular, we focus on fixed-grid WDM networks, which is the current practice, and on flexible optical networks, considered as the most promising architecture for meeting next generation core and metro network requirements. In doing so, we describe a generic problem definition that can capture both types of networks in a unified manner.