Fragmentation Problems and Management Approaches in Elastic Optical Networks: A Survey

Bandwidth fragmentation, a serious issue in elastic optical networks (EONs), can be suppressed by proper management in order to enhance the accommodated traffic demands. In this context, we need an in-depth survey that covers bandwidth fragmentation problems and how to suppress them. This survey paper starts with the basic concept of EONs and their unique properties. This paper then moves to the fragmentation problem in EONs. We discuss and analyze the major conventional spectrum allocation policies in terms of the fragmentation effect in a network. The taxonomies of the fragmentation management approaches are presented along with different node architectures. Subsequently, this paper reviews state-of-the-art fragmentation management approaches. Next, we evaluate and analyze the major fragmentation management approaches in terms of blocking probability. Finally, we address the research challenges and open issues on fragmentation problem in EONs that should be addressed in future research.