Slow Light Buffers for Packet Switching

Abstract

Packet switches or routers are key items of Internet infrastructure. Routers orchestrate the movement of Internet protocol (IP) packets through the network, and ensure that each packet is forwarded from its source to its correct destination. In today’s network, routers are highly sophisticated electronic systems, based on powerful electronic processing, switching, and buffering technologies [1, 2]. Incoming packets arrive at the import ports of a router via optical fiber links and are converted to electronic form before entering the router. This conversion is achieved using optical-to-electronic (O/E) converters located at the inputs to the router. Similarly, outgoing packets from the router..