Transport functions virtualization for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM)-based optical networks

An apparatus for virtualizing an optical network, the apparatus comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• a processor coupled to the memory and configured to:
• maintain optical transmission engineering rules for the optical network;
• maintain shared-risk link groups (SRLGs) for the optical network;
• determine a plurality of optical reachable paths using the optical transmission engineering rules and the SRLGs;
• construct an optical reachability graph (ORG) by interconnecting a plurality of ORG nodes via the optical reachable paths;
• partition the ORG nodes into a plurality of electrical reachability graph (ERG) nodes that perform grooming functions;
• determine a plurality of electrical-layer reachable paths for the ERG nodes;
• and
• construct an ERG over the ORG by interconnecting the ERG nodes with the electrical-layer reachable paths.

A method implemented in a centralized controller node, the method comprising:

• obtaining an optical reachability graph (ORG) by abstracting resource information from a physical optical substrate layer;
• determining an optical-electrical-optical (OEO) conversion capability of an optical physical network by identifying a presence of regenerators or other OEO conversion nodes;
• partitioning a plurality of service sites into one or more electrical reachability graph (ERG) nodes based on the OEO conversion capability, the service sites are connected via a plurality of optical reachable paths to form the ORG;
• determining a grooming capability for each ERG node;
• and
• constructing a plurality of electrical-layer reach paths among the ERG nodes based on the grooming capabilities to form an ERG.