New directions in modelling, analysis and design of WDM/OFDM-networks: (I) optical switching

Bearing in mind that a topological representation of a finite graph is a compact space, by the relationships between (graph) topology, algebraic topology, group theory, (differential) geometry and combinatorics a new universe arises for modelling, analysis and design of (telecommunication) networks. Throughout the present paper, coverings/covering spaces, the lifting problem and quotient graphs are briefly interpreted in terms of the requirements for the combinatorial design of optical switches though the presentation is mainly based on illustrations rather than on a (precise) mathematical description.