ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the basics of the several network architectures, both from technology and networking points of view. In a wavelength division multiplexing network, all-optical elements are on the contrary analog, as the amplifiers and the optical add drop multiplexers (OADM). Amplifiers are again substituted by monolithically integrated regenerators managing several wavelengths simultaneously and integrating OADM-like functionalities. The idea is to completely change the network architecture by eliminating the time division multiplexing physical layer based on circuit switching substituting it with a packet switched optical network based on packet switching optical machines. These optical routers have to deal directly with some sort of optical burst or packet at a very high speed, performing all the operations that are needed to store and forward them. The chapter also reviews the architecture and potential performances of semiconductor optical amplifier-based components that well represent the state of the art in the field.
