Abstract: The present invention provides a process to establish or configure a mode of operation for computing devices through the use of affinity groups, policy guidelines, and priority graphs. An affinity group is a group of peer devices identified by a network to which a target device is connected as being similar to the target device. Policy guidelines are parameters describing mode or configuration policies for a group of users and reflecting users' identified needs and requirements. A priority graph is a decision tree, which may or may not be graphically represented, describing hierarchically the organization of policies governing the mode or configuration of device operation and capturing the relative priorities of different policies. A key aspect of the present invention involves the sharing of information within an affinity group.

Abstract: A system and a method for initializing a communication link for transmitting a data stream from a first computer through a synchronous optical communication network to a second computer are provided. The method includes transmitting a first request message in a first GFP data frame to a second computer. The method further includes transmitting a second acknowledgement message in a second GFP data frame from the second computer to the first computer. The method further includes initializing the communication link between the first computer and the second computer in response to the acknowledgement message.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing highly available, redundant optical modules using a single network connection in a data processing system. An embedded network interface or network adapter card that occupies one network slot is included and includes a plurality of optical modules. The embedded network interface or network adapter card is used to communicate with a network utilizing one of the optical modules. One of the optical modules is currently designated as an active module. A redundancy controller is included on the network adapter card. The redundancy controller detects a failure of the optical module that is currently designated as the active module and changes the active module designation from the failed optical module to a remaining one of the optical modules such that the remaining one of the optical modules becomes designated as the active module. The embedded network interface or network adapter card then begins utilizing the newly designated optical module to communicate with the network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system process to establish or configure a mode of operation for computing devices through the use of affinity groups, policy guidelines, and priority graphs. An affinity group is a group of peer devices identified by a network to which a target device is connected as being similar to the target device. Policy guidelines are parameters describing mode or configuration policies for a group of users and reflecting users' identified needs and requirements. A priority graph is a decision tree, which may or may not be graphically represented, describing hierarchically the organization of policies governing the mode or configuration of device operation and capturing the relative priorities of different policies. A key aspect of the present invention involves the sharing of information within an affinity group.

Abstract: A sequence identification number is added to a header in each Generic Framing Procedure (GFP) frame. The byte sequence identification number identifies frames, preventing duplication or loss of exchanges, sequences, and frames. When this feature is enabled, a remote wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) node automatically checks the header to ensure that no duplication or loss occurs. The remote WDM node does not need to buffer data, instead the remote WDM node only needs to keep track of the sequence identification number information. A session identification number is also added to the header information, which allows the WDM node to keep track of which session was under way in the event that all connections between nodes across the WDM network are lost.

Abstract: A data mapping device, a method, and an article of manufacture for adjusting a transmission rate of ISC words are provided. The GFP data mapping device has a FIFO buffer and a transceiver operably coupled to the FIFO buffer. The method includes reading first and second ISC words from the FIFO buffer that were received from a transmitting device. The method further includes determining whether a first number of ISC words stored in the FIFO buffer are greater than a second predetermined number indicating an over-running condition. The method further includes determining whether the first and second ISC words indicate either an ISC continuous sequence of words or an ISC idle sequence of words, if the first number is greater than the second predetermined number. The method further includes deleting the first and second ISC words if the first and second ISC words indicate either the ISC continuous sequence of words or the ISC idle sequence of words.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process to establish or configure a mode of operation for computing devices through the use of affinity groups, policy guidelines, and priority graphs. An affinity group is a group of peer devices identified by a network to which a target device is connected as being similar to the target device. Policy guidelines are parameters describing mode or configuration policies for a group of users and reflecting users' identified needs and requirements. A priority graph is a decision tree, which may or may not be graphically represented, describing hierarchically the organization of policies governing the mode or configuration of device operation and capturing the relative priorities of different policies. A key aspect of the present invention involves the sharing of information within an affinity group.

Abstract: A system and a method for initializing a communication link for transmitting a data stream from a first computer through a synchronous optical communication network to a second computer are provided. The method includes transmitting a first request message in a first GFP data frame to a second computer. The method further includes transmitting a second acknowledgement message in a second GFP data frame from the second computer to the first computer. The method further includes initializing the communication link between the first computer and the second computer in response to the acknowledgement message.

Abstract: A system and a method for synchronizing running disparity values in a first computer and a data demapping device are provided. The method includes generating a plurality of data characters and a synchronization control character. The method further includes iteratively determining a first running disparity value based on each character of the plurality of data characters and the synchronization control character. The method further includes encapsulating a first plurality of data characters and the synchronization control character from a computer into at least one GFP data block and transmitting the GFP data block to data demapping device. The method further includes decoding the GFP data block to obtain the plurality of data characters and the synchronization control character and iteratively determining a second running disparity value based on each character of the plurality of data characters and the synchronization control character.

Abstract: A method, system, and product are disclosed for providing highly available, redundant optical modules using a single network connection in a data processing system. An embedded network interface or network adapter card that occupies one network slot is included and includes a plurality of optical modules. The embedded network interface or network adapter card is used to communicate with a network utilizing one of the optical modules. One of the optical modules is currently designated as an active module. A redundancy controller is included on the network adapter card. The redundancy controller detects a failure of the optical module that is currently designated as the active module and changes the active module designation from the failed optical module to a remaining one of the optical modules such that the remaining one of the optical modules becomes designated as the active module.

Abstract: A system and method for improving optical signal gain efficiencies of semiconductor optical amplifier devices. The system and method exploits a wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit and methodology that enables real time mutual alignment of the center wavelength of an optical signal having a peaked spectrum function and transmitted through the semiconductor optical amplifier, and a center wavelength of a wavelength selective device such as an optical filter implementing a peaked passband function in an optical system. The wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit and methodology may be further exploited to control various types of modulation applied to the optical signals transmitted in optical systems.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically attenuating optical signals transmitted in optical systems. The system and method exploits a wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit and methodology that enables real time mutual alignment of the center wavelength of an optical signal having a peaked spectrum function and transmitted through the optical system, and a center wavelength of a wavelength selective device such as an optical filter element implementing a peaked passband function. The wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit and methodology particularly is capable of real-time aligning the center wavelength of an optical signal in a range between maximum overlap with the center wavelength of the peaked passband function of the optical filter for maximum transfer of output optical signal by the filter element and minimum overlap with the peaked passband function of the optical filter so that output optical signal may be attenuated in the optical system.

Abstract: A system and method of compensating for optical polarization dispersion effects exhibited in a length of optical fiber in an optical network. The system and method exploits a wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit and methodology that detects a polarization mode dispersion characteristic of the optical signal and enables real time adjustment of the center wavelength of the optical in manner so as to minimize polarization effects in the optical fiber link. In another embodiment, the wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit and methodology is implemented for enabling real time physical adjustment, e.g., X-Y dimension strain control, of the optical fiber link itself in accordance with the detected amount of polarization mode dispersion.

Abstract: A system and method for precisely controlling the wavelength selective function provided by fiber Bragg gratings in optical fiber elements. The system and method exploits a wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit and methodology that enables real time adjustment of the grating pattern being written to said fiber optical link element by a grating writing source to thereby mutually align a center wavelength of the peaked wavelength selective function resulting from the grating pattern with a center wavelength of the optical signal transmitted over a communication channel provided by the fiber. A real-time adaptive dispersion compensation technique for optical fibers is additionally provided that exploits the wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for precisely controlling the wavelength selective function provided by fiber Bragg gratings in optical fiber elements. The system and method exploits a wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit and methodology that enables real time adjustment of the grating pattern being written to said fiber optical link element by a grating writing source to thereby mutually align a center wavelength of the peaked wavelength selective function resulting from the grating pattern with a center wavelength of the optical signal transmitted over a communication channel provided by the fiber. A real-time adaptive dispersion compensation technique for optical fibers is additionally provided that exploits the wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for precisely controlling the wavelength of short wavelength optical signals being communicated via a fiber optic link in an optical system. The system comprising a configuration of optical filter elements each having a peaked passband function capable of passing short wavelength optical signals, the optical filter elements being in a nested configuration with a first optical filter element having a peaked passband function capable of passing short wavelength optical signals within a first range of wavelengths for input to a next successive optical filter stage; each successive optical filter stage of the nested configuration capable of passing wavelengths within successively narrower wavelength ranges within the first range of wavelengths.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically attenuating optical signals transmitted in optical systems. The system and method exploits a wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit and methodology that enables real time mutual alignment of the center wavelength of an optical signal having a peaked spectrum function and transmitted through the optical system, and a center wavelength of a wavelength selective device such as an optical filter element implementing a peaked passband function. The wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit and methodology particularly is capable of real-time aligning the center wavelength of an optical signal in a range between maximum overlap with the center wavelength of the peaked passband function of the optical filter for maximum transfer of output optical signal by the filter element and minimum overlap with the peaked passband function of the optical filter so that output optical signal may be attenuated in the optical system.

Abstract: A system and method of compensating for optical polarization dispersion effects exhibited in a length of optical fiber in an optical network. The system and method exploits a wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit and methodology that detects a polarization mode dispersion characteristic of the optical signal and enables real time adjustment of the center wavelength of the optical in manner so as to minimize polarization effects in the optical fiber link. In another embodiment, the wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit and methodology is implemented for enabling real time physical adjustment, e.g., X-Y dimension strain control, of the optical fiber link itself in accordance with the detected amount of polarization mode dispersion.

Abstract: A system and method for improving optical signal gain efficiencies of semiconductor optical amplifier devices. The system and method exploits a wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit and methodology that enables real time mutual alignment of the center wavelength of an optical signal having a peaked spectrum function and transmitted through the semiconductor optical amplifier, and a center wavelength of a wavelength selective device such as an optical filter implementing a peaked passband function in an optical system. The wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit and methodology may be further exploited to control various types of modulation applied to the optical signals transmitted in optical systems.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling alignment of a laser center wavelength and Raman filter passband center wavelengths in a Raman effect optical amplifier for purposes of providing increased gain response. The system and method exploits a wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit and methodology that enables real time mutual alignment of a laser pump signal having a peaked spectrum function including a center wavelength and the center wavelength of a passband filter having a peaked passband function provided in the Raman amplifier.