The article explains the role of control plane in creating high-level services in the next-generation transport network based on the Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching (GMPLS) or Automatically Switched Optical Networks model. A reliable control is essential for correct operation of the whole transport network and is responsible for the transfer of signaling and routing messages as well as the management of connections and resources. To support the task of management of calls, connections and network resources, GMPLS-related protocols such as IS-IS, OSPF, BGP and CR-LDP, can be used. An IP-based data communication network is required by these protocols. In case of a failure in control plane, new connections will be redirected

 In accordance with the used protection mechanisms, but the existing connections, as follows from the separation of the transport plane and the control plane, can still be supported in the transport plane. These connections are free of signaling and, therefore, the state of the connections in the damaged area cannot change in the signaling manner.

Type architectures play an important role in the design of photonic switching networks. The authors present and discuss all known tree-type architectures in a unified framework, and propose a number of new solutions.