Optimal Resource Allocation in Hybrid Packet/Optical Circuit Switched Networks

In current networks, large flows often co-exist with small flows and consume a significant proportion of the network bandwidth. This imposes a challenge on network resource management. Various hybrid switching architectures have been proposed in recent years aiming to address this challenge and improve efficiency and resource utilization. However, there is still a need for means for design and dimensioning of resources among multiple switching planes. In this work, we first argue that the resource allocation in hybrid switching systems is fact the interaction between three components: resource allocation, traffic partitioning and performance (or cost) constraints. We then introduce a framework called Blocking-LOss Curve (BLOC) to address the resource allocation problem in hybrid switching systems. BLOC can capture the behavior of hybrid switching systems under different resource allocation strategies. This framework also allows us to identify the feasible region for resource allocation, within which performance metrics like the packet loss and request blocking requirements can be satisfied. An optimal resource allocation strategy may be found based on the feasible region. We also discuss the application of BLOC in hybrid switching Data Center networks.