All-optical networks

Optoelectronic technology and optical networking will become the key enablers of the future communications infrastructure through the elimination of the severe restrictions of bandwidth and bit-error rate, inherent in traditional electromagnetic signal-based communications. The article presents an overview of optical networks, discusses different ways by which all-optical networks can be integrated into existing and future broadband network architectures and underlines some of the potential impacts of optical networking on future computing applications. It evaluates the essence and applications of graphics and visualization, medical image access and distribution, and broadband services to homes. Perhaps the major challenge for organizations developing next-generation network infrastructures is to strengthen confidence that the network capacity and economics they will require in the future will be available. This is a critical issue as businesses have become increasingly dependent upon optical network driven intranet and Internet operations.