CHISEL: Optical Slicing for Wide-Area Networks

Explore a groundbreaking conference talk from NSDI '24 that introduces CHISEL, an innovative system for dynamically creating slices of the wide-area network (WAN). Learn how this technology extends the concept of network slicing beyond access networks to enable end-to-end slicing abstraction. Discover how CHISEL carves optical slices between WAN endpoints, avoiding queueing and congestion delays typically found in packet-switched paths. Understand the challenges of incrementally allocating optical spectrum on long-haul fiber while considering data-carrying channels and physical constraints. Gain insights into CHISEL's ability to leverage abundant unused optical spectrum in cloud WANs, optimally allocating terabits of slice requests within seconds. Examine how CHISEL balances optimality and run-time efficiency, provisioning slices close to optimal in under 30 seconds in a commercial cloud WAN. Compare CHISEL's performance to IP tunnels, noting its significant reduction in router port consumption and latency for provisioning optical slices on hardware.