Methods, systems, and apparatus, including an apparatus for generating clusters of building blocks of compute nodes using an optical network. In one aspect, a method includes receiving request data specifying requested compute nodes for a computing workload. The request data specifies a target n-dimensional arrangement of the compute nodes. A selection is made, from a superpod that includes a set of building blocks that each include an m-dimensional arrangement of compute nodes, a subset of the building blocks that, when combined, match the target n-dimensional arrangement specified by the request data. The set of building blocks are connected to an optical network that includes one or more optical circuit switches. A workload cluster of compute nodes that includes the subset of the building blocks is generated. The generating includes configuring, for each dimension of the workload cluster, respective routing data for the one or more optical circuit switches.

An interconnect as a switch module (“ICAS” module) comprising n port groups, each port group comprising n−1 interfaces, and an interconnecting network implementing a full mesh topology where each port group comprising a plurality of interfaces each connects an interface of one of the other port groups, respectively. The ICAS module may be optically or electrically implemented. According to the embodiments, the ICAS module may be used to construct a stackable switching device and a multi-unit switching device, to replace a data center fabric switch, and to build a new, high-efficient, and cost-effective data center.

An interconnect as a switch module (“ICAS” module) comprising n port groups, each port group comprising n-1 interfaces, and an interconnecting network implementing a full mesh topology where each port group comprising a plurality of interfaces each connects an interface of one of the other port groups, respectively. The ICAS module may be optically or electrically implemented. According to the embodiments, the ICAS module may be used to construct a stackable switching device and a multi-unit switching device, to replace a data center fabric switch, and to build a new, high-efficient, and cost-effective data center.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including an apparatus for generating clusters of building blocks of compute nodes using an optical network. In one aspect, a method includes receiving request data specifying requested compute nodes for a computing workload. The request data specifies a target n-dimensional arrangement of the compute nodes. A selection is made, from a superpod that includes a set of building blocks that each include an m-dimensional arrangement of compute nodes, a subset of the building blocks that, when combined, match the target n-dimensional arrangement specified by the request data. The set of building blocks are connected to an optical network that includes one or more optical circuit switches. A workload cluster of compute nodes that includes the subset of the building blocks is generated. The generating includes configuring, for each dimension of the workload cluster, respective routing data for the one or more optical circuit switches.

A content delivery network (CDN) includes: at least one CDN origin node; and multiple CDN cache nodes connected to the at least one CDN origin node via an optical transport network (OTN). Deliveries and/or routing from the multiple CDN cache nodes to the at least one CDN origin node and/or vice versa is performed below layer 3 of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model.

A transmission method and system for an optical burst transport network are disclosed in the present document. The method includes: acquiring a topology of a mesh OBTN network, and generating one or more logical sub-networks according to the topology of the mesh OBTN network; a predetermined master node in the mesh OBTN network updating bandwidth maps for all logical sub-networks; the predetermined master node is a node, which all control channels pass through, in all the nodes of the mesh OBTN network.

An interconnect as a switch module (“ICAS” module) comprising n port groups, each port group comprising n-1 interfaces, and an interconnecting network implementing a full mesh topology where each port group comprising a plurality of interfaces each connects an interface of one of the other port groups, respectively. The ICAS module may be optically or electrically implemented. According to the embodiments, the ICAS module may be used to construct a stackable switching device and a multi-unit switching device, to replace a data center fabric switch, and to build a new, high-efficient, and cost-effective data center.

Systems and methods for providing a data service through a packet-optical switch in a network include, subsequent to defining a loop-free forwarding topology for the data service in the network, if the packet-optical switch is a degree 2 site for the data service, providing the data service through the packet-optical switch at a Layer 1 protocol bypassing a partitioned packet fabric of the packet-optical switch; and if the packet-optical switch is a degree 3 or more site for the data service with multi-point connectivity, providing the data service through the packet-optical switch at the Layer 1 protocol and at a packet level using the partitioned packet fabric to provide the data service between the multi-point connectivity and to associated OTN connections for each degree of the degree 3 or more site.

An edge wavelength-switching system includes an optical switch and a wavelength selective switch. The optical switch includes a west hub-side port, an east hub-side port, a west local-side port, and an east local-side port. The wavelength selective switch includes (i) a multiplexed port optically coupled to the west local-side port and (ii) a bypass port optically coupled to the east local-side port, and (iii) a plurality of demultiplexed ports. An optical network includes a network hub including an M-by-N.sub.1 wavelength-selective switch, N.sub.1>M≥1, a first network node, and a second network node. Each of the first and second network nodes includes a respective edge wavelength-switching system. The network hub, the first network node, and the second network node are optically coupled.

An edge wavelength-switching system includes an optical switch and a wavelength selective switch. The optical switch includes a west hub-side port, an east hub-side port, a west local-side port, and an east local-side port. The wavelength selective switch includes (i) a multiplexed port optically coupled to the west local-side port and (ii) a bypass port optically coupled to the east local-side port, and (iii) a plurality of demultiplexed ports. An optical network includes a network hub including an M-by-N.sub.1 wavelength-selective switch, N.sub.1>M≥1, a first network node, and a second network node. Each of the first and second network nodes includes a respective edge wavelength-switching system. The network hub, the first network node, and the second network node are optically coupled.