Abstract: A software-defined redundant passive optical network (SD RPON) system having a passive optical network (PON) provider's server with an access network. The access network has a primary path to an optical line terminal (OLT) connected to an optical network terminal (ONT), wherein the ONT is connected to a customer's equipment to receive a PON signal and PON services. The access network also has one or more protection paths extending to another OLT connected to the ONT. An auto-detection system monitors PON signal transmission through the access network and an auto-assignment system assigns an ONT to the customer through using a customer's unique identifier. The SD RPON system automatically moves a customer from an existing ONT to another ONT if PON signal transmission fails through the existing ONT and serves a diverse path protection, while offering tremendously simplified and time-saving disaster recovery.