Computer networks journal special issue on: "Challenges and opportunities in advanced optical networking"

Optical communication systems and networks will continue to play a significant role in the development and deployment of emerging network infrastructures. These networks are expected to support the diverse requirements of a broad range of existing and future applications. To accommodate this wide spectrum of applications, network infrastructures are evolving rapidly in terms of technology and architecture towards a more flexible and intelligent optical layer based on Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) that utilizes new optical switching architectures and technologies as well as advanced control and management protocols. Optical component technology is rapidly maturing, offering cost-effective solutions to a point where optical networks are currently being deployed in core backbone networks, and are gaining increased interest for deployment in metro and access environments. The widespread deployment of optical communication systems and networks introduces many challenges and opportunities, which this special issue aims to address.