Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting framing data in a telecommunications signal. In one embodiment, a frame synchronizer circuit is provided that includes an interface for receiving bits of a telecommunications signal and storage for storing a framing state for the bit positions in the frame, the framing state for a given bit position indicating whether that bit position is a potential holder of the frame synchronization pattern. The frame synchronizer circuit also contains a state update function that determines the current-state for each bit position based on the bit position's previous state, and the value of the most recently received bit in that bit position. The encoding scheme makes use of shorter bit length symbols to represent statistically more frequently occurring states. In one embodiment, a single code word is used to record the state of a sequence of consecutively occurring bit positions that share the same state.

Abstract: A secure method for generating and verifying keys to be utilized for software feature activation. The method includes secure key generation by a software manufacturer and secure key verification by the end software-product that reveals to the software which features to activate. This ensures that any key which activates a feature in the software is generated by the software manufacturer.

Abstract: A communication network comprising first and second communication paths, and nodes coupled therethrough. Each node comprises first and second switches, each having a first terminal coupled to an end of a first communication path, and a second terminal coupled to an end of a second communication path. Third terminals of the first and second switches are coupled together through at least one third communication path. A Wavelength-Division-Multiplexed device of the node is coupled to an external communication node and a fourth terminal of each switch. A node controller responds to an applied input by controlling at least one switch to cause selective coupling of at least one of (a) first and second nodes together via at least one of the paths, and (b) the external communication node and at least one of the first and second nodes via at least one of the paths.

Abstract: According to an example embodiment of the invention, a configurable printed circuit board (PCB) includes one or more separable portions for supporting modules for interfacing with the PCB. The separable portions extend from an edge portion of a main body of the PCB, and are disposed between the main body of the PCB and a protective portion. A scored portion is provided at a boundary between the main body of the PCB and the separable portions, the separable portions being separable by being broken off from the main body of the PCB at the scored portion. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method of configuring a PCB having one or more separable portions of the PCB includes securing the PCB and separating the one or more separable portions of the PCB from another portion of the PCB.

Abstract: Allocation of an amount of available bandwidth among a plurality of users of a computer network is provided. Each user has a maximum allocation of bandwidth. Tier information of a plurality of tiers is accessed. In the tier information, users are grouped according to maximum allocation. Tier information includes a breakpoint value of each tier. The available bandwidth is allocated in one example embodiment by (1) allocating the maximum allocations to users in tiers with breakpoint values less than or equal to the amount of available bandwidth, and (2) allocating remaining available bandwidth in a fair manner among remaining users, which are users in tiers with breakpoint values greater than the amount of available bandwidth. The breakpoint value of at least one tier is a minimum amount of bandwidth that must be allocated in a Max-Min fair manner among the plurality of users such that each user in the tier receives its maximum allocation of bandwidth.

Abstract: Multistage switching for mixed SONET VT traffic, such as VT1.5s and VT2s, is accomplished by employing an input time switch, a space switch and an output time switch. The input time switch and output time switch include VT1.5 time switches arranged to alter the time order of the input VT1.5s and VT2 time switches arranged to alter the time order to the input VT2s. The space switch includes a VT1.5 space switch arranged to order the input VT1.5s with respect to output channels in an output channel order different from the input channel order of the VT1.5s. The space switch also includes a VT2 space switch arranged to order the input VT2s with respect to output channels in an output channel order different from the input channel order of the VT2s.

Abstract: A system and method for autonomous data path verification in a multi-module shelf configuration, such as in a digital cross-connect system, are disclosed. The system generally includes a source port module, a destination module, and optional n-stage network of mapping interface modules. The source port module is configured to reuse transport overhead bytes of received SONET or SDH signals by inserting data path verification data therefor. The destination module is configured to perform autonomous data path verification between the source port module and the destination module by examining the reused transport overhead bytes of the signals received from the source port module. The method generally includes reusing transport overhead bytes by inserting data path verification data into the overhead bytes of signals received by a first module, e.g., a source port module, and transmitting the signals with the data path verification data toward a second module, e.g., a destination port module.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for identifying a device address of a destination device having a device address unknown to a source device. The method may include sending a communication, with a hunt address in place of a known destination address, from a source device to a destination device having a device address unknown to the source device. The method may further include using the hunt address as a known destination address in future communications, if an acknowledgement responsive to the communication is received by the source device. The method may further include selecting a next hunt address from a set of device addresses to use as the hunt address and iteratively sending communications with hunt addresses from the source device to the destination device until the device address of the destination device is determined through an acknowledgement responsive to a communication or hunt addresses are exhausted, if the acknowledgment is not received by the source device.

Abstract: A member of a Virtual Concatenation Group (VCG) can be temporarily disabled under control of a Link Capacity Adjustment Scheme (LCAS). The VCG comprises a number of link members, in which payload data are transmitted. A management command (MLOCKOUT) is transmitted from a management system to at least one of the source and sink side for one member requesting the member to be temporarily disabled. In response to the management command a forward control message is transmitted from the source side comprising a message (FDNU) indicating that payload data of the member shall not be used, and transmission of payload data for the member is discontinued. In this way temporary disabling of a VCG member is provided, in which it is ensured that the same member is enabled again when the operation requiring the disabling is completed, and which can be handled as a separate function by the management system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for horizontally slicing a multi-stage switching fabric having transmission inputs and transmission outputs to and from the switch fabric. The switching fabric includes switch elements arranged in at least first and second stages, each switch element having element inputs and outputs with each switch element being configured to join one of the element inputs with an associated one of the element outputs. The switch fabric includes a first logic device that contains a stage-1subset of the switch elements that is arranged within, and configured to operate as part of, the first stage. The first logic device also contains a stage-2 subset of the switch elements arranged within, and configured to operate as part of, the second stage. The switch fabric includes a second logic device that contains a stage-1 subset of the switch elements that is arranged within, and configured to operate as part of, the first stage.

Abstract: A ring communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of nodes in which a single one of the nodes is configured for full channel conversion and the remaining nodes, other than the single node, are configured for no channel conversion. Links with no more than W channels couple the nodes. The ring communication network also may include N nodes and links connecting the nodes for carrying data in W channels such that N?2 log2 W?1 where W is a power of 2. Each of the N nodes includes switches connected such that each channel of a first one of the links adjacent to any one of the N nodes can be switched to no more than W?1 channels of another one of the links adjacent any one node.

Abstract: A method and system for designing a bi-connected ring-based network is provided, which designs from scratch or converts an existing network to a dual-homed ring-based network. The network covers the locations capable of being bi-connected with one or more cycles/rings. The traffic demand is then routed via the cycles, in such a way so as to minimize the amount of network traffic management equipment required.

Abstract: When planning and maintaining a network, it may be very difficult for a network provider to organize variations of equipment rack installations at several different sites. Present methods of planning installation configurations in a network involve planning the same equipment installation configuration at all sites, planning a limited number of variations, or planning multiple variations but, with difficulty, tracking and changing configurations. A method or corresponding apparatus in an example embodiment of the present invention provides a tool for simplifying the planning of multiple network element installation configurations at multiple sites within a network. The benefits include fewer required truck rolls, resulting in reduced costs before and after deployment of installation configurations.

Abstract: Optical regeneration is expensive to implement and maintain. A method or corresponding apparatus in an example embodiment of the present invention enables a user to plan an optical regeneration in a network with a reduction of optical regeneration compared to unplanned deployment. An optical regeneration planning tool according to an example embodiment of the present invention can graphically display a representation of a network topology with optical regeneration sites and enable the user to plan optical regenerations at a subset of the sites as a function of characteristics of models of optical network elements and paths within the network topology. Through use of the optical regeneration planning tool, a service provider can save on network deployment and future servicing of optical regeneration equipment.

Abstract: Due to demand for more network bandwidth, a need for multi-user optical network topologies has, and will continue to, increase. A method or corresponding apparatus in embodiments of the present invention provide for an availability determination tool for determining and displaying wavelength and subrate availabilities within a network. Benefits of embodiments of a tool include allowing a user to identify the availability and capacity of any wavelength on any network, via an interactive graphical user interface, such as by using three-dimensional representations. In one embodiment, the disclosed availability determination tool allows users to locate and view any combination of available wavelengths between nodes in an optical network topology, and generate graphical and tabular reports of the availability in order to maintain an efficient and organized method or apparatus for determining and controlling wavelengths in a network.

Abstract: Optical regenerators and amplifiers are expensive to implement and maintain. A method or corresponding apparatus in an example embodiment of the present invention relates to an optical planning tool that plans an optical network configuration by determining a plurality of costs for maintaining signal strength in corresponding network configurations including (i) a configuration of regenerators, (ii) a configuration of pre- or post-amplifiers, and (iii) a configuration of pre- and post-amplifiers in candidate locations and regenerator modules. The candidate locations for placing pre- or post-amplifiers are determined based on loss in each span, expected traffic patterns, and proposed regeneration locations along paths of expected traffic. The regeneration modules are located in locations determined based on the candidate locations. The example embodiment selects a configuration from among the network configurations as a function of the plurality of costs, helping reduce the cost of network deployment.

Abstract: An optical transponder, system, method, and program wherein the transponder monitors for at least one of a failure or an alarm signal. In response to detecting a failure or alarm signal (communication), the transponder performs at least one of a predetermined action and propagating an alarm communication to a network, based on a configuration property. The transponder can have a configuration property specifying a predetermined action for shutting off a laser if an alarm signal indicating a network failure is detected. As an example, some transponders can be configured to either provide an alarm communication, and/or shut off a laser, depending upon which communication interface detects a network failure or receives an alarm signal. Also, other transponders can be configured to propagate existing alarm communications, without generating new alarm communications or shutting off lasers.

Abstract: An all-optical cross-connect switching system provides optical switching that may reduce processing requirements by three orders of magnitude over conventional techniques by associating at least one optical detector with an optical beam steering element. In one embodiment, a first beam steering element, having a reflective surface in optical association with a first optical fiber array, and a second beam steering element, having a reflective surface in optical association with a second optical fiber array, are optically arranged to direct an optical beam from a first optical fiber in the first optical fiber array to a second optical fiber in the second optical fiber array. The optical detector provides information about a first position of the optical beam on the second beam steering element. Based on this information, the angle of the first beam steering element may be adjusted to cause the optical beam to change to a second position on the second beam steering element.

Abstract: A method for cross connecting optical signals includes using a common beam steerer to direct a set of optical signals from a set of input ports to a set of output ports. The method further includes adjusting a curvature of the common beam steerer so that paths of the optical signals have substantially the same effective path length.

Abstract: A node for managing an optical signal includes a first system optics card for providing channels to be transported over a first optical transport link and receives channels from a second optical transport link. Channels received over the second optical transport link are provided to an optical converter card for transport to a client device, for feedback onto the first optical transport link, or pass through to a second system optics card of the node. The first system optics card is capable of dropping network channels from the second transport link to associated client devices through optical converter cards and add client channels received from optical converter cards to the first transport link. The first system optics card may include one or more express input and output ports to couple with one or more other system optics cards in order to provide multiple degrees of communication capability.