Resource Optimization in Elastic Optical Networks Using Threshold-Based Routing and Fragmentation-Aware Spectrum Allocation

This paper proposes an efficient strategy for resource utilization in Elastic Optical Networks (EONs) to minimize spectrum fragmentation and reduce connection blocking probability during Routing and Spectrum Allocation (RSA). The proposed method, Dynamic Threshold-Based Routing and Spectrum Allocation with Fragmentation Awareness (DT-RSAF), integrates rerouting and spectrum defragmentation as needed. By leveraging Yen’s shortest path algorithm, DT-RSAF enhances resource utilization while ensuring improved service continuity. A dynamic threshold mechanism enables the algorithm to adapt to varying network conditions, while its fragmentation awareness effectively mitigates spectrum fragmentation. Simulation results on NSFNET and COST 239 topologies demonstrate that DT-RSAF significantly outperforms methods such as K-Shortest Path Routing and Spectrum Allocation (KSP-RSA), Load Balanced and Fragmentation-Aware (LBFA), and the Invasive Weed Optimization-based RSA (IWO-RSA). Under heavy traffic, DT-RSAF reduces the blocking probability by up to 15% and achieves lower Bandwidth Fragmentation Ratios (BFR), ranging from 74% to 75%, compared to 77% - 80% for KSP-RSA, 75% - 77% for LBFA, and approximately 76% for IWO-RSA. DT-RSAF also demonstrated reasonable computation times compared to KSP-RSA, LBFA, and IWO-RSA. On a small-sized network, its computation time was 8710 times faster than that of Integer Linear Programming (ILP) on the same network topology. Additionally, it achieved a similar execution time to LBFA and outperformed IWO-RSA in terms of efficiency. These results highlight DT-RSAF’s capability to maintain large contiguous frequency blocks, making it highly effective for accommodating high-bandwidth requests in EONs while maintaining reasonable execution times.