The Internet transport infrastructure is evolving toward a model of high-speed routers interconnected by intelligent optical networks. In this article we review current optical networking architectures and describe a new concept proposed in A. Gumaste and I. Chlamtac [2003]: light-trails. We develop light-trails as a novel and amenable control and management solution to address IP-centric communication problems at the optical layer. We implement a testbed to demonstrate light-trail feasibility. We also present three medium access control protocols for light-trails and evaluate their performance. The goal of light-trails and our solution is to combine commercially available components with emerging network technologies to provide a transparent, reliable, and highly scalable communication network.