Optimization of operational fiber links and interconnections for the merger of two networks

Multiple telecommunication networks create redundancy in fiber resources. Merging two networks can achieve savings in redundant fiber links. In this paper, we investigate the merge of two networks by adding fiber interconnections. A simulation model is developed for the optimization. The overall costs for various topologies are optimized with respect to different interconnection build costs. We show, by simulation and analytical results, that through the merger of two networks, it reduces more than 50% of operational fiber links. We are able to provide routing between any two nodes in the two networks. In all cases after critical interconnection build cost, only two interconnections are needed. The optimization is performed to find a Hamiltonian path that covers all the nodes in each network or to find a path that contains a maximum number of directly connected articulation nodes in different groupings. The proposed simulation model finds the optimal interconnection locations for these topologies.