Metropolitan Area WDM Networks: An AWG Based Approach provides a comprehensive and technically detailed overview of the latest metropolitan area WDM network experimental systems, architectures, and access protocols. Its main focus is on the novel star WDM networks based on a wavelength-selective Arrayed-Waveguide Grating (AWG). Network researchers, engineers, professionals, and graduate students will benefit from the thorough overview and gain an in-depth understanding of current and next-generation metro WDM networks. The AWG based metro star WDM network is discussed at length and extensively investigated by means of stochastic analyses and simulations. The book provides: *an up-to-date overview of ring and star metro WDM networks and access protocols, *in-depth performance comparison studies of AWG based multihop vs. single-hop WDM networks and AWG vs. Passive Star Coupler based single-hop WDM networks, *a thorough description of the AWG based network and node architectures and access protocols, *a novel highly-efficient approach to provide survivability for star WDM networks, *extensive analytical results for both unicast and multicast variable-size packet traffic and bandwidth on demand, *supplementary simulation results, including packet header trace files.