Abstract: A bi-directional line switched mesh includes at least one bi-directional line switched ring (BLSR) sharing a common section with a partial bi-directional line switched ring (PBLSR). The partial bi-directional line switched ring has no working traffic along the common section, but may utilize the protection bandwidth associated with the common section of the BLSR in the event of a span failure of the PBLSR. Both electrical and optical PBLSR networks are also disclosed including methods of operating the asymmetrical ring nodes having unconfigured working ports (spans).

Abstract: A system for use in a bi-directional path switched ring network for detecting a failed optical path and establishing a protection path so as to allow signals from the failed optical path to be re-routed via the protection path is provided. According to one aspect of the system, upon detecting a failure relating to an optical path, the destination node generates a connection request message for transmission to the source node. The connection request message is passed to the source node via one or more intermediate nodes, if any. Each intermediate node examines the connection request message accordingly reserves the requisite wavelength from the protection capacity so as to allow signals from the failed optical path to be re-routed. Upon receiving the connection request message, the source node readies its switching equipment to re-route signals from the failed optical path and generates an acknowledgment message and propagates it back to the destination node via the intermediate nodes.

Abstract: A system for managing signal power levels in an optical network. The optical network comprises a plurality of nodes having logic to receive and transmit optical signals over a plurality of network interconnections. The system includes a method wherein each of the nodes is provided configuration parameters, each of the nodes is configured based on the configuration parameters, power parameter information is exchanged between the nodes, at least some of the nodes are re-configured based on the power parameter information and the steps of exchanging power parameter information and re-configuring at least some of the nodes are repeated until the optical network is fully configured so that the optical signals have selected signal power levels.

Abstract: A system for use in a bi-directional path switched ring network for detecting a failed optical path and establishing a protection path so as to allow signals from the failed optical path to be re-routed via the protection path is provided. According to one aspect of the system, upon detecting a failure relating to an optical path, the destination node generates a connection request message for transmission to the source node. The connection request message is passed to the source node via one or more intermediate nodes, if any. Each intermediate node examines the connection request message accordingly reserves the requisite wavelength from the protection capacity so as to allow signals from the failed optical path to be re-routed. Upon receiving the connection request message, the source node readies its switching equipment to re-route signals from the failed optical path and generates an acknowledgment message and propagates it back to the destination node via the intermediate nodes.

Abstract: A system for managing signal power levels in an optical network. The optical network comprises a plurality of nodes having logic to receive and transmit optical signals over a plurality of network interconnections. The system includes a method wherein each of the nodes is provided configuration parameters, each of the nodes is configured based on the configuration parameters, power parameter information is exchanged between the nodes, at least some of the nodes are re-configured based on the power parameter information and the steps of exchanging power parameter information and re-configuring at least some of the nodes are repeated until the optical network is fully configured so that the optical signals have selected signal power levels.

Abstract: A system for managing signal power levels in an optical network. The optical network comprises a plurality of nodes having logic to receive and transmit optical signals over a plurality of network interconnections. The system includes a method wherein each of the nodes is provided configuration parameters, each of the nodes is configured based on the configuration parameters, power parameter information is exchanged between the nodes, at least some of the nodes are re-configured based on the power parameter information and the steps of exchanging power parameter information and re-configuring at least some of the nodes are repeated until the optical network is fully configured so that the optical signals have selected signal power levels.

Abstract: A system for managing signal power levels in an optical network. The optical network comprises a plurality of nodes having logic to receive and transmit optical signals over a plurality of network interconnections. The system includes a method wherein each of the nodes is provided configuration parameters, each of the nodes is configured based on the configuration parameters, power parameter information is exchanged between the nodes, at least some of the nodes are re-configured based on the power parameter information and the steps of exchanging power parameter information and re-configuring at least some of the nodes are repeated until the optical network is fully configured so that the optical signals have selected signal power levels.