Load-sensitive deflection routing for contention resolution in optical packet switched networks

Contention resolution schemes are key determinant of network performances in optical packet switched networks. This paper presents a contention resolution scheme in wavelength and space dimensions. By integrating deflection routing with wavelength conversion, this paper investigates their effects on packet-loss performance through simulation studies. In particular, we propose a load-sensitive deflection routing algorithm to compute preferred and deflection routing tables. The proposed algorithm proves effective in resolving contention and in reducing packet-loss rates. The load-sensitive deflection routing can share network resources between multiple nodes effectively and produce the same effect as increasing the number of wavelengths in each node. Simulation comparisons with other deflection routing schemes indicate that the load-sensitive deflection routing is the most effective when the load is high in some parts of a network.