Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for operating optical networks and performing defragmentation operations. Embodiments include computer systems and computer program products comprising a computer readable storage and a processor. Upon receiving information indicative of a spectrum assignment on the optical network, a target entity associated with a set of optical channels and a potential spectrum path are identified. The target entity can be defragmented to enable the potential spectrum path, comprising reconfiguring at least one existing spectrum path associated with an optical channel in the set of optical channels. The potential spectrum path may then be reconfigured to a continuous and contiguous band of slice on at least one optical channel associated with the target entity.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include (i) generating a data center constraint model by placing a constraint on a total amount of ingress or egress traffic a service expects from each respective data center of multiple data centers, (ii) filtering a set of traffic matrices that indicate points in the data center constraint model by comparing the set of traffic matrices against cut sets of a network topology that indicate network failures to create a tractable set of dominating traffic matrices, (iii) obtaining physical network resources to implement a cross-layer network upgrade architecture that satisfies the tractable set of dominating traffic matrices, and (iv) allocating the physical network resources across the multiple data centers according to the cross-layer network upgrade architecture such that a capacity level of the multiple data centers is increased while satisfying the data center constraint model. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for allocating network resources are described. The method includes receiving a plurality of forecasted network traffic patterns for a network. A representative subset of the plurality of forecasted network traffic patterns is selected based on an analysis of the plurality of forecasted network traffic patterns using a topology of the network. The selected representative subset of the plurality of forecasted network traffic patterns is used to determine a resource allocation for the network.

Abstract: An optimized communication network may include an edge switch capable of transporting and switching L1 and L2 traffic and configured to selectively transport and switch L2 traffic using L1 protocols.

Abstract: Memory devices, methods and systems are described in which a non-transitory memory device stores instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: receive, via an input component, at least one message from a network element in a multi-layer network comprising information indicative of at least one failure of a working path; determine based at least in part on information indicative of a data transport path coincident with the working path in a second layer in the network different from the first layer, an alternate path in the first layer for transmission of the data through the multi-layer network; and transmit, via an output component, at least one signal comprising configuration instructions to at least one line module, the configuration instructions directing the line module to switch and transmit the data using the alternate path.

Abstract: Memory devices, methods and systems are described in which a non-transitory memory device stores instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: receive, via an input component, at least one message from a network element in a multi-layer network comprising information indicative of at least one failure of a working path; determine based at least in part on information indicative of a data transport path coincident with the working path in a second layer in the network different from the first layer, an alternate path in the first layer for transmission of the data through the multi-layer network; and transmit, via an output component, at least one signal comprising configuration instructions to at least one line module, the configuration instructions directing the line module to switch and transmit the data using the alternate path.

Abstract: A method for determining a path through a communication network may include determining a first and second path from a first device to a second device based on path latency, removing from further consideration the first or the second path based on which has the highest path latency of the first and second path, and determining path candidates until a path candidate is found with the lowest differential latency between the determined first or second path and the path candidate.

Abstract: A switch network may include a plurality of switch stages arranged in sequential stages. The plurality of switch stages may include a first switch stage connected to a plurality of inputs, a second switch stage connected to each switch in the first switch stage, a third switch connected to each switch in the second switch stage, a fourth switch stage connected to each of the switches in the third switch stage, and a fifth switch stage connected to a plurality of outputs and each switch in the fourth switch stage, and a control element configured to control each of the plurality of switch stages for routing a signal from one of the plurality of inputs to one of the plurality of outputs.

Abstract: An optimized communication network may include an edge switch capable of transporting and switching L1 and L2 traffic and configured to selectively transport and switch L2 traffic using L1 protocols.

Abstract: A switch network may include a plurality of switch stages arranged in sequential stages. The plurality of switch stages may include a first switch stage connected to a plurality of inputs, a second switch stage connected to each switch in the first switch stage, a third switch connected to each switch in the second switch stage, a fourth switch stage connected to each of the switches in the third switch stage, and a fifth switch stage connected to a plurality of outputs and each switch in the fourth switch stage, and a control element configured to control each of the plurality of switch stages for routing a signal from one of the plurality of inputs to one of the plurality of outputs.