Publication Date: 7/1/2026

Event: Journal of Optical Communications and Networking

Reference: 18(7): C49-C65, 2026

Authors: Hideki Nishizawa, NTT Network Innovation Laboratories; Kazuya Anazawa, NTT Network Innovation Laboratories; Toru Mano, NTT Network Innovation Laboratories; Takeo Sasai, NTT Network Innovation Laboratories; Giacomo Borraccini, NEC Laboratories America, Inc.; Tatsuya Matsumura, NTT Network Innovation Laboratories; Hiroyuki Isihara, NTT Network Innovation Laboratories; Sae Kojima, NTT Network Innovation Laboratories; Yoshiaki Sone, NTT Network Innovation Laboratories; Koichi Takasugi, NTT Network Innovation Laboratories

Abstract: This tutorial paper presents a data center exchange (Data Center Xchange, DCX) architecture for all-photonics networks-as-a-service in distributed data center infrastructures, enabling the creation of a virtual large-scale data center by directly interconnecting geographically distributed data centers in metropolitan areas. In contrast to existing vendor-driven optical networking approaches, the proposed architecture adopts an operator-driven and open digital twin paradigm, leveraging cloud-native transponder architectures and open tools/interfaces such as GNPy and CMIS/TAI, and a user–carrier collaborative control framework. In particular, the cloud-native architecture enables operators to flexibly develop, deploy, and manage their own control and automation functions across transponders and controllers using container-based software components. Key requirements for such an architecture in the era of AI are identified: support for low-latency operations, scalability, reliability, and flexibility within a single network architecture; the ability to add new operator-driven automation functionalities based on an open networking approach; and the ability to control and manage remotely deployed transponders connected via access links with unknown physical parameters. We propose a set of technologies that enable digital twin operations for optical networks, including a cloud-native architecture for coherent transceivers, remote transponder control, fast end-to-end optical path provisioning, transceiver-based physical-parameter estimation incorporating digital longitudinal monitoring, and optical line system calibration, demonstrating their feasibility through field validations.

Publication Link: https://opg.optica.org/jocn/fulltext.cfm?uri=jocn-18-7-C49