Load and Fragmentation-Aware Demand Routing on Hybrid Single/Multi-Band EONs

As the transition from traditional single-band EONs (SB-EONs) to multi-band EONs (MB-EONs) is gradual, fibers supporting both SB and MB transmission capacities may coexist for an extended period. This mixed configuration is known as a hybrid SB/MB EON. This study analyzes the load and fragmentation of individual fibers and the overall network. We propose several heuristic algorithms for routing, band allocation, and spectrum management in these hybrid SB/MB EONs. Their performance is evaluated through simulations, focusing on bandwidth blocking probability (BBP). A key contribution is the development of three novel algorithms designed to effectively mitigate fragmentation and network load. We further assess the performance of these algorithms across networks with varying proportions of MB-capable fibers.