Abstract: A hierarchical and distributed control architecture for managing an optical communications network. The architecture includes a line card manager level for managing individual line cards in an optical switch, a node manager level for managing multiple line cards in an optical switch/node, and a network management system level for managing multiple optical switches/nodes in a network. An event manager at the node manager level enables software components that are running at the node manager to register for and receive events, and to post events. The events may be triggered, e.g., by a change in a status of the switch, or an alarm condition. Control architecture functionalities include signaling, routing, protection switching and network management. Furthermore, the network management function includes a topology manager, a performance manager, a connection manager, a fault detection manager, and a configuration manager.

Abstract: An optical transport switching system having an all-optical switch that can be selectively configured to provide cross-connection and add/drop multiplexing functions. Optical circuit cards are provided in a chassis/bay, and connected by an optical backplane. The circuit cards may include access line interface cards, optical access ingress cards, transport ingress cards, transport egress cards, and optical access egress cards. An optical switching fabric provides selective optical coupling between the cards. The all-optical switch can be used in an optical network that allows external/access networks to access the optical network, including access networks that use Gigabit Ethernet or SONET signaling. Wavelength conversion is provided for non-compliant wavelengths of the access networks. A local area network enables control and monitoring of the cards by a local node manager.

Abstract: A facility is provided to allow a supervisory message to quickly propagate through a transmission network without delay. Specifically, a supervisory message is quickly routed from one node to a next node by (a) splitting the control channel signal carrying the supervisory message at a receiving node, (b) sending one of the split control channel signals to an output via switchable apparatus for immediate transmission the next node and (c) sending the other split signal to a controller for analysis. If the controller invokes a predetermined procedure as a result of the content of the message, e.g., invokes protection switching, then the controller forms a supervisory message identifying the invoked procedure, operates the switchable apparatus so that the message identifying the invoked procedure may be routed to the output in place of the split channel signal message.

Abstract: A hierarchical and distributed control architecture for managing an optical communications network. The architecture includes a line card manager level for managing individual line cards in an optical switch, a node manager level for managing multiple line cards in an optical switch/node, and a network management system level for managing multiple optical switches/nodes in a network. An event manager at the node manager level enables software components that are running at the node manager to register for and receive events, and to post events. The events may be triggered, e.g., by a change in a status of the switch, or an alarm condition. Control architecture functionalities include signaling, routing, protection switching and network management. Furthermore, the network management function includes a topology manager, a performance manager, a connection manager, a fault detection manager, and a configuration manager.

Abstract: An optical communications network having at least one optical switch connected to a network access device. The optical switch includes a first line card disposed along a first communications path over which a first optical signal is transmitted. The first line card is connected to the network access device. A second line card is disposed along a second communications path over which a second optical signal is transmitted. An inter-card communication channel is provided for bridging the second path to the first line card. The system enables the rapid switching of traffic from the first optical path to the second optical path.

Abstract: A Line Card Manager (LCM) architecture for use at an optical switch in an optical communications network. A LCM with a dedicated processor is provided for different line cards at the switch. The LCM includes a first interface, such as a connector to the line card, for receiving monitored parameters from the line card, and a processor that executes software for determining when an event such as a fault should be set, e.g., when a monitored parameter is out of range. The LCM has a second interface to a local area network at the switch for reporting the event to a Node Manager, which manages the LCM. The LCM is preferably a removable plug-in module of the line card to allow easy upgrades and maintenance. The LCM includes generic software for managing different types of line cards.