Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein provide fast recovery of a network signal path by, in the event of a failure or unacceptable degradation in a signal in the original network path, diverting the optical signal passing through the network to a preselected bypass optical path which is maintained in a warm or operational state. The optical elements on the bypass optical path are available network resources which may, during part or all of the time the bypass path is designated for a node in the primary optical path, be in use to transmit other optical signals in the network. By maintaining the resources in the designated bypass path in a warm or operating state, fast rerouting and recovery of an interrupted signal is possible.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for use by a network element coupled with an optical transport network. The method comprises calculating an optical path from a first packet-terminated optical interface of the network element to a second packet-terminated optical interface of a destination network element coupled with the optical transport network, and signaling the optical transport network to create the optical path. The method further comprises creating an Ethernet interface corresponding to the first packet-terminated optical interface, and adding the Ethernet interface to an Ethernet bundle interface. The method further comprises communicating across the optical path using addressing of the Ethernet bundle interface.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for use by a network element coupled with an optical transport network. The method comprises calculating an optical path from a first packet-terminated optical interface of the network element to a second packet-terminated optical interface of a destination network element coupled with the optical transport network, and signaling the optical transport network to create the optical path. The method further comprises creating an Ethernet interface corresponding to the first packet-terminated optical interface, and adding the Ethernet interface to an Ethernet bundle interface. The method further comprises communicating across the optical path using addressing of the Ethernet bundle interface.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein provide fast recovery of a network signal path by, in the event of a failure or unacceptable degradation in a signal in the original network path, diverting the optical signal passing through the network to a preselected bypass optical path which is maintained in a warm or operational state. The optical elements on the bypass optical path are available network resources which may, during part or all of the time the bypass path is designated for a node in the primary optical path, be in use to transmit other optical signals in the network. By maintaining the resources in the designated bypass path in a warm or operating state, fast rerouting and recovery of an interrupted signal is possible.