Challenges in Future Intra-Data-Center Networks and Possible Solutions

This chapter briefly introduces the data center network and reviews the challenges for future intra-data-center networks in terms of scalability, cost effectiveness, power efficiency, upgrade cost, and bandwidth utilization. Current data center network architecture is discussed in detail and the drawbacks are pointed out in terms of the above-mentioned parameters. A detailed background is provided that how the technology moved from opaque to transparent optical networks. Additionally, it includes different data center network architectures proposed so far by different researchers/team/companies in order to address the current problems and meet the demands of future intra-data-center networks.

Performance Analysis of FSO Links in Turbulent Atmosphere

The free-space optical communications technology is emerging as an attractive substitute to RF communications. It can satisfy the current demands for higher bandwidth to the customer. Atmospheric turbulence is a major obstacle in wireless optical communication systems. To fully utilize the terabit capacity of FSO system, it has to overcome various challenges offered by the heterogeneous nature of the atmospheric channel. Currently, FSO communication through atmospheric turbulence under adverse weather conditions is an active research topic. A lot of studies and experiments have been carried out on the effect of attenuation due to atmospheric turbulence; but still, much more research is necessary for fulfilling the current demands and commercial needs for implementing this technology successfully. This chapter discussed the various limitations of FSO system which are faced during data transmission through the atmospheric channel and various ways to improve the performance regarding BER, outage probability, and channel capacity.

An Introduction to LiFi and Review of Prototypes Designed on FPGA and Other Hardware

The current wireless networks are highly deficient when it comes to catering to the needs of the modern world with applications such as IoT and online interactive gaming. LiFi (visible light communication) has attracted interest as a solution to this problem due to its high data rate, wider spectrum, low power consumption, higher security, lower cost, and immunity to EMI. The idea behind LiFi is to use LED lights already available for space lighting for the purpose of transmitting. The chapter begins with a brief introduction to LiFI and then takes the reader through the history and market status of the technology all the way through to popular modulation techniques and finally ends with summarizing the transceiver prototypes designed previously with special emphasis on FPGA-based prototypes. The chapter provides a starting point for young budding researchers interested in LiFi and its implementation.

Next Generation Multi-Access Edge-Computing Fiber-Wireless-Enhanced HetNets for Low-Latency Immersive Applications

Next generation optical access networks have to cope with the contradiction between the intense computation and ultra-low latency requirements of the immersive applications and limited resources of smart mobile devices. In this chapter, after presenting a brief overview of the related work on multi-access edge computing (MEC), the authors explore the potential of full and partial decentralization of computation by leveraging mobile end-user equipment in an MEC-enabled FiWi-enhanced LTE-A HetNet, by designing a two-tier hierarchical MEC-enabled FiWi-enhanced HetNet-based architecture for computation offloading, which leverages both local (i.e., on-device) and nonlocal (i.e., MEC/cloud-assisted) computing resources to achieve low response time and energy consumption for mobile users. They also propose a simple yet efficient task offloading mechanism to achieve an improved quality of experience (QoE) for mobile users.

Wavelength Allocation and Scheduling Methods for Various WDM-PON Network Designs With Traffic Protection Securing

The wavelength division multiplexing passive optical network (WDM-PON) is a natural path forward to satisfy demands of optical network operators to develop valuable converged optical metropolitan and access networks. For effective utilization of possible transmission capacities, available wavelengths must be carefully designed for their utilization. Therefore, some principles of wavelength allocation and scheduling methods are characterized and specified. For ensuring the network reliability, efficient traffic protection mechanisms must be implemented. Simultaneously, different equipment in remote nodes can be installed. Therefore, different WDM-PON network designs with traffic protection securing are analyzed and compared. Protection possibilities for various network parts and elements are characterized and optical power budgets are evaluated and optimized. Finally, a research of the DWA algorithms can be realized using functionalities of selected wavelength scheduling methods. Moreover, the wavelength transmission capacity characterizing can be simultaneously determined.