Journal profile · COMPUTER SCIENCE, INFORMATION SYSTEMS-OPTICS
Optical Switching and Networking
ISSN 1573-4277 · eISSN 1872-9770 · Elsevier · Netherlands · Quarterly
Optical Switching and Networking: CAS Zone 4 · Computer Science (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 2.86; hybrid open access; APC about USD 2,530; review about 124 days (submission to acceptance, publisher); community-reported acceptance: easy; 23 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Optical Switching and Networking is published by Elsevier and is in Zone 4 of Computer Science in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Advanced Optical Network Technologies, Optical Network Technologies and Advanced Photonic Communication Systems, together about 65.2% of its articles. Its main subfields are Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Computer Networks and Communications. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
A Computer Networks JournalOptical Switching and Networking (OSN) is an archival journal aiming to provide complete coverage of all topics of interest to those involved in the optical and high-speed opto-electronic networking areas. The editorial board is committed to providing detailed, constructive feedback to submitted papers, as well as a fast turn-around time.Optical Switching and Networking considers high-quality, original, and unpublished contributions addressing all aspects of optical and opto-electronic networks. Specific areas of interest include, but are not limited to:• Optical and Opto-Electronic Backbone, Metropolitan and Local Area Networks • Optical Data Center Networks • Elastic optical networks • Green Optical Networks • Software Defined Optical Networks • Novel Multi-layer Architectures and Protocols (Ethernet, Internet, Physical Layer) • Optical Networks for Internet of Things (IOT) • Home Networks, In-Vehicle Networks, and Other Short-Reach Networks • Optical Access Networks • Optical Data Center Interconnection Systems • Optical OFDM and coherent optical network systems • Free Space Optics (FSO) networks • Hybrid Fiber - Wireless Networks • Optical Satellite Networks • Visible Light Communication Networks • Optical Storage Networks • Optical Network Security • Optical Network Resiliance and Reliability • Control Plane Issues and Signaling Protocols • Optical Quality of Service (OQoS) and Impairment Monitoring • Optical Layer Anycast, Broadcast and Multicast • Optical Network Applications, Testbeds and Experimental Networks • Optical Network for Science and High Performance Computing NetworksPlease note that the topics “Wireless Sensor Networks” and “Ad Hoc Networks” are outside the scope of OSN, unless the manuscript involves optical switching and networking in the context of these traditionally wireless networks.Also, please note that manuscripts on generic “Neural Network” topics are outside the scope of OSN, unless the neural network specifically addresses optical switching and networking.Generally, the scope of OSN encompasses the link layer (Layer 2) and higher layers in the network protocol stack. Manuscripts focused on the physical (photonics, Layer 1) should please be submitted to Optical Fiber Technology or Optics Communications.
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): COMPUTER SCIENCE, INFORMATION SYSTEMS-OPTICS
Editor-in-chief Admela JukanPublisher website
Editorial board by country: 4 in mainland China (about 13%); most named United States 9, Italy 7, Mainland China 4, Spain 2, Vietnam 2 (31 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Advanced Optical Network TechnologiesEngineering25.9%
- Optical Network TechnologiesEngineering21.6%
- Advanced Photonic Communication SystemsEngineering17.8%
- Software-Defined Networks and 5GComputer Science7.4%
- Human auditory perception and evaluationEngineering4.5%
- Diverse Scientific and Economic StudiesEconomics, Econometrics and Finance4.4%
- Educational Robotics and EngineeringComputer Science4.3%
- Interconnection Networks and SystemsComputer Science2.7%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Computer Science Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Computer Science | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Computer Science, Information Systems | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Optics | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Telecommunications | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Computer Science Zone 3
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Computer Science | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Computer Science, Information Systems | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Optics | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Telecommunications | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Computer Science Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Computer Science | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Optics | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Computer Science, Information Systems | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Telecommunications | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIEScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 2.86LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher)
- 5.5Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 7.6LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher)
- 7.6Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 0.62LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 1.27LetPub ·
- h-index
- 24LetPub ·
- h-index
- 40OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 292OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 1.8OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 7.3%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 17.5%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 18LetPub ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 812 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 35 | 12 | 23 |
| 2025 | 23 | 6 | 53 |
| 2024 | 11 | 5 | 48 |
| 2023 | 18 | 2 | 119 |
| 2022 | 37 | 9 | 466 |
| 2021 | 37 | 14 | 489 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
Publisher-reported review time from the journal's website
124 dayssubmission to acceptance · community reports over 12 weeks
The publisher's own definition applies; dates from this journal's articles in the last 24 months are not available yet, so the publisher's figure is used.
Figures by source
- Average review time (community reports)
- over 12 weeksLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- EasyLetPub ·
- Submission to first decision
- 5 daysPublisher website ·
- First decision after review
- 67 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to acceptance
- 124 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication
- 9 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Single anonymous peer reviewPublisher website
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Hybrid open accessLetPub
A subscription journal in which authors can pay to publish their article open access.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 2,530 / EUR 2,370 / GBP 2,030 / JPY 313,800 | — | — | |
| Publisher website | USD 2,620 | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
What to prepare6 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 250 words
- Keywords
- 1–7
- Reference style
- Numbered, in order of citation
- Templates
- LaTeX and Word
- Highlights
- Optional
- Graphical abstract
- Optional
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, Publication ethics, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review, Preprints
- AI use Declaration of generative AI use
Authors must declare the use of generative AI tools in the manuscript preparation process upon submission of the paper.Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies (“AI tools”) have been rapidly adopted in research and scholarly publishing, offering significant benefits while requiring clear standards for responsible and transparent use.Authors preparing a manuscript for this journal may use AI tool…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Group authorship
Group authorship refers to the attribution of an article to a defined and named group of authors whose members have contributed to the work. Examples include research consortia, clinical trial groups, collaborative networks, task forces or working groups, expert panels or consensus groups, and participatory research groups. Group authorship must be declared on the title page at submission. When av…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Declaration of competing interests
All authors must disclose any financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias their work. Examples of potential competing interests include:EmploymentConsultanciesStock ownershipHonorariaPaid expert testimonyPatent applications or registrationsGrants or any other fundingAffiliation with the journal as an Editor or Advisory Board …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Publication ethics
Ethical guidelines per Elsevier's Publishing Ethics Policy Model summary
Authors must follow ethical guidelines stated in Elsevier's Publishing Ethics Policy.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright License options
Authors will be offered open access user license options which will determine how you, and third parties, can reuse your open access article. We advise that you review these options and any funding body license requirements before selecting a license option.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access
Open access options available Model summary
We refer you to our open access information page to learn about open access options for this journal.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review Peer review
Single anonymized review process Model summary
This journal follows a single anonymized review process. Your submission will initially be assessed by our editors. If your submission is deemed suitable, it will typically be sent to be reviewed by a minimum of two reviewers for an independent expert assessment of the scientific quality. The decision as to whether your article is accepted or rejected for publication will be made by our editors.Re…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Preprints Preprints
Preprint sharingAuthors may share preprints in line with Elsevier's article sharing policy. Sharing preprints, such as on a preprint server, will not count as prior publication.We advise you to read our policy on multiple, redundant or concurrent publication. In support of Open Science, this journal offers its authors a free preprint posting service on SSRN, Elsevier’s preprint and early research …
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Country or region
- Netherlands
- Language
- English
- Frequency
- Quarterly
- ISSN
- 1573-4277
- Electronic ISSN
- 1872-9770
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗OpenAlex
- Submission system ↗Publisher website
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Optical Switching and Networking
What CAS zone is Optical Switching and Networking in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Optical Switching and Networking is in Zone 4 of Computer Science, and in Zone 4 of the minor category Computer Science, Information Systems / Optics / Telecommunications. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 3 of Computer Science. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Optical Switching and Networking?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 2.86; CiteScore 7.6, h-index 40.
How long does peer review take at Optical Switching and Networking?
The publisher reports about 124 days (submission to acceptance); authors report an average review time of over 12 weeks; the community-reported acceptance is “Easy”. Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What are the manuscript requirements of Optical Switching and Networking?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: ≤ 250 words; Keywords: 1–7; Reference style: Numbered, in order of citation; Templates: LaTeX and Word; Highlights: Optional; Graphical abstract: Optional. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Where are the editorial board members of Optical Switching and Networking based?
Of the 31 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 4 (about 13%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are United States (9), Italy (7) and Mainland China (4). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Optical Switching and Networking?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Optical Switching and Networking is indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Is Optical Switching and Networking open access, and what is the APC?
Optical Switching and Networking is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 2,530.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, Publisher website, OpenAlex; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-26). Last updated: .