Between grids and networks: grid‐enabled network control planes

Purpose – This article seeks to introduce the concept of the Grid-GMPLS control plane architecture with focus on new services, models, and interoperability issues of Grid-GMPLS (G2MPLS) and GMPLS control planes. The purpose of this activity is to design, implement and test extensions of the GMPLS Control Plane that can enable the paradigm of a G2MPLS network. Design/methodology/approach – The approach deploys extended GMPLS implementations aiming to facilitate bandwidth provisioning to Grid users. Findings – G2MPLS is a Network Control Plane architecture that implements the concept of Grid Network Services. GNS is a service that allows the provisioning of network and Grid resources in a single-step through a set of integrated procedures. By providing a unified network/Grid infrastructure the control plane can adapt to the demands of applications having intensive requirements on both computational and network resources. Research limitations/implications – The project delivers the prototype implementation of G2MPLS. Consideration should be given to involving the vendors of the optical equipment in the development process to incorporate the project findings into their operating systems. Practical implications – The G2MPLS protocol stack has been designed to be compatible with the ASON/GMPLS architecture. This could lead to possible integration of Grids in the existing operational networks, by overcoming the current limitations of Grids running over dedicated networks with their own administrative procedures. Originality/value – The paper provides the description of Grid Network Infrastructures with a common and transversal Control Plane approach based on G2MPLS, in which Grid resources and optical network resources are both controlled by the same Control Plane, seamlessly spanning the different Control and Management domains of the network