A survey of Optical Networks and its visual management and control

This paper is a survey on the optical fiber communication and optical networks. First, we show a historical perspective of optical fiber communication and the progress of optical networks. In addition, we give a rough classification of optical networks. Due to the development of optical fiber communication, the key technologies, such as photoelectron technology, optical transmission technology and optical switching technology, are also discussed. Then, we introduce the architecture and functions of Automatically Switched Optical Networks(ASON) as an example of intelligent optical networks. At last, a new concept of optical networks management and control, visual management and control, is described. An outlook on optical networks' future development can be seen in the paper as well.