Project Overview
This project established a Software Defined Optical Networking (SDON) research and training laboratory at NUST (Pakistan), in partnership with Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna (SSSA, Italy), to bridge the skills gap in optical networking among TEIN NRENs. The lab serves as a remote-accessible testbed and training platform, equipped with white box optical systems and programmable tools for advanced research and education.
🔬 Cutting-Edge Optical Networking Research
The SDON laboratory enables pioneering research in programmable optical networks, SDN controllers, and next-generation telecommunications infrastructure for TEIN partner institutions.
🌍 International Collaboration
SDON Laboratory Infrastructure
Software Defined Networking
SDN controllers, ONOS, POX frameworks for programmable network control and automation
Optical Transponders
White-box optical systems with open interfaces for flexible wavelength management
ROADM Systems
Reconfigurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexers for dynamic wavelength routing
Test Equipment
Advanced measurement tools for optical signal quality and network performance testing
Remote Access Platform
VPN-based global access via TEIN-PERN links for distributed research collaboration
Machine Learning
AI-powered Quality of Transmission (QoT) estimation and network optimization
🔧 Laboratory Equipment & Tools
State-of-the-art optical networking hardware and software for research and training:
Training Program & Research Activities
Train-the-Trainer Program (RP1)
Remote training led by SSSA Italy, involving 8 NUST researchers in optical networking hardware, SDN software, and open networking tools.
Lab Infrastructure Development
Design and procurement of open transponders, ROADM systems, test equipment, and servers with remote access capabilities.
Remote Access Implementation
VPN-based global access via PERN-TEIN link for all TEIN partners with request system establishment.
Student Research Program
Engagement of 8 postgraduate students in SDON research including QoT estimation, virtualization, and machine learning.
Techno-Economic Analysis
Assessment of disaggregated optical network models and SDON CAPEX/OPEX implications for NRENs.
Hybrid Training Workshop
4-day SDON training event (Oct 2021) with 55 participants covering SDN controllers, emulation, and vendor-neutral technologies.
🦠 COVID-19 Adaptation Success
Despite pandemic delays affecting equipment shipments and travel restrictions, the team successfully completed all work packages through innovative remote collaboration and hybrid training formats.
Key Achievements & Research Impact
🚀 Laboratory Establishment Success
- Operational SDON Lab: Fully equipped facility at NUST with transponders, ROADMs, and remote access for TEIN partners
- Global Remote Access: VPN-based access via TEIN-PERN links available to all partner NRENs
- Advanced Training Platform: Comprehensive testbed for SDN, optical networking, and research experimentation
- Industry Partnerships: Collaborations with vendors and international research institutions
📚 Research Excellence & Publications
8 Students Trained: Comprehensive skills development in SDN, Mininet, ONOS, POX, and machine learning for QoT estimation.
3 Research Publications: Significant contributions to optical networking research literature with innovative SDON approaches.
Techno-Economic Guidance: Practical cost modeling and upgrade path analysis shared across TEIN and APAN forums for NREN decision-making.
🎓 Training & Collaboration Impact
Hybrid Workshop Success: 4-day training event with 55 participants (25 international, 30 onsite) covering SDN planning, optical testbeds, network slicing, and virtualization.
APAN Engagement: Presentations at APAN-50 & 51 workshops promoting Open Optical Networks adoption and regional collaboration.
Wider Collaborations: MOUs and working partnerships established with LEARN, MYREN, BdREN, and CESNET (GEANT).
Strategic Partnership Network
Led by NUST Pakistan in partnership with Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna Italy, with comprehensive TEIN NREN collaboration:
NUST
National University of Sciences and Technology
Lead Institution - Pakistan
SSSA
Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna
Technical Partner - Italy
PERN
Pakistan Education and
Research Network
LEARN
Lanka Education and
Research Network
MYREN
Malaysia Research &
Education Network
BdREN
Bangladesh Research and
Education Network
Challenges & Future Directions
⚠️ Implementation Challenges
- COVID-19 Delays: Equipment shipments delayed by months due to global supply chain and travel restrictions
- Student Exchange Limitations: Planned international placements (MYREN, LEARN) replaced with virtual engagement
- Training Format Changes: Shift to hybrid formats for workshops and APAN events limiting hands-on collaboration
- Supply Chain Disruptions: Global semiconductor shortages affecting optical equipment procurement
🚀 Innovation & Expansion Plans
Enhanced Lab Functionality: Add SD-WAN and 5G optical slicing test modules to laboratory capabilities.
Annual SDON School: Establish recurring regional workshops under PERN-TEIN cooperation for sustained knowledge transfer.
Open Testbed API: Enable researchers to remotely push configurations and run automated experiments across TEIN networks.
Next-Gen Planning Tools: Utilize research outputs to build NREN-specific SDN planning frameworks and deployment guides.
Sustainable Development Goals
This optical networking research laboratory contributes to advanced telecommunications infrastructure and education: