Optical technology dominates more and more the core of modern telecommunication networks, providing the most potential to deal with the ever-increasing bandwidth demands. Network operators need to employ their resources optimally in order to realize powerful and still affordable services. This, in particular, requires to plan infrastructure investitions carefully.

In this project, we develop mathematical models and optimization methods for the cost-efficient design of optical networks. This complex task includes the dimensioning of the capacities to install as well as the routing of all connection demands. Furthermore, numerous technical and operational restrictions have to be taken into account. Among these, the network survivability in case of failures play an important role.