Software Defined Networking for Next Generation Converged Metro-Access Networks

•The definition of a node architecture for a next generation metro-access network.•The definition of an SDN framework for controlling access network equipment of the Metro-Core node.•A testbed demonstration of a wavelength-on-demand SDN-controlled next generation PON FPGA prototype.

While the concept of Software Defined Networking (SDN) has seen a rapid deployment within the data center community, its adoption in telecommunications network has progressed slowly, although the concept has been swiftly adopted by all major telecoms vendors. This paper presents a control plane architecture for SDN-driven converged metro-access networks, developed through the DISCUS European FP7 project. The SDN-based controller architecture was developed in a testbed implementation targeting two main scenarios: fast feeder fiber protection over dual-homed Passive Optical Networks (PONs) and dynamic service provisioning over a multi-wavelength PON. Implementation details and results of the experiment carried out over the second scenario are reported in the paper, showing the potential of SDN in providing assured on-demand services to end-users.