This document discusses software defined networking (SDN) and its applications to optical transport networks. It begins with an introduction to the rapid growth of network traffic and need for more programmatic control of networks. It then provides an overview of SDN architecture with separated control and data planes. OpenFlow is discussed as an SDN protocol that can enable programmatic control of optical elements. The document outlines some key characteristics and applications of optical networks, including setting up connection paths and transport virtual private networks (VPNs). It also discusses optical network architectures like ROADMs and different control paradigms like centralized versus distributed control. In summary, the document explores how SDN principles can be applied to optical transport networks to provide more flexible, automated