Abstract: A method and system for processing communication at a node in a communication system makes use a series of fixed-length data frames in which multiple data streams are multiplexed. Each of the data streams originates from a corresponding source of data in the communication system, and least two of the data streams originate from a same source of data. For each of the series of fixed-length frames that are processed at a node, multiple offsets within the fixed-length frame are identified, each of these offsets being associated with a different one of the sources of data. The data streams which are multiplexed in the series of fixed-length frames are then processed. For each of the data streams, in each of the series of fixed-length frames, that data stream is processed according to the offset identified for that frame that is associated with the source of that data stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using SONET technology to efficiently carry both data and voice traffic by Add/Drop Multiplexing of both isochronous traffic, such as voice and video, and non-isochronous traffic, such as data, in a SONET/SDH fiber-optic ring topology. A portion of a SONET/SDH frame structure (STS-1, STM-1 etc.) is shared by a number of nodes connected to an optical SONET/SDH ring (either directly or sitting behind a SONET/ADM). The inherent column structure of the SONET/SDH frame is used define dynamic channels (flexible bandwidth channels) between the nodes. Each dynamic channel can be assigned a priority and optionally a minimum bandwidth. The channel to column mapping is varied dynamically for data traffic by a centralized bandwidth manager which serves as an arbiter for requests for bandwidth.