Software-defined networking is finding its way into optical networks. Here,
it promises a simplification and unification of network management for optical
networks allowing automation of operational tasks despite the highly diverse
and vendor-specific commercial systems and the complexity and analog nature of
optical transmission. A fundamental component for software-defined optical
networking are common abstractions and interfaces. Currently, a number of
models for optical networks are available. They all claim to provide open and
vendor agnostic management of optical equipment. In this work, we survey and
compare the most important models and propose an intent interface for creating
virtual topologies that is integrated in the existing model ecosystem.Comment: Parts of the presented work has received funding from the European
Commission within the H2020 Research and Innovation Programme, under grant
agreeement n.645127, project ACIN
