Abstract: A network transfers a first packet addressed to a first address and indicating a second address. The network routes the first packet through a first set of routers. The first routers transfer route priority messages indicating the second address to directly linked routers to lower their route priority to the first routers for the second address. The network transfers a second packet addressed to the second address and indicating the first address. The network routes the second packet through a second set of routers. The second routers transfer route priority messages indicating the first address to directly linked routers to lower their route priority to the second routers for the first address. The network routes a first packet flow addressed to the first address through the first routers and routes a second packet flow addressed to the second address through the second routers.

Abstract: A communication system comprises a first communication device coupled to a first optical switch by a first link, a second communication device coupled to a second optical switch by a second link, and a third link and back-up links coupling the first and second optical switches. During normal operation, the optical switches connect the third link to the first and second links. The back-up links have various costs and latencies. In response to a fault on the third link, the first optical switch and the second optical switch automatically select an available one of the back-up links having a lowest cost and an acceptable latency, and in response to the selection, automatically disconnect the first link and the second link from the third link and automatically connect the first link and the second link to the selected back-up link.

Abstract: A communication system couples communication devices using optical switches and links. The optical switches provide OSI Layer 1 restoration in response to a fault. The communication devices provide OSI layer 2/3 restoration in response to the fault after OSI Layer 1 protection is complete.

Abstract: The method and system provide for transporting a secondary communication signal from a secondary carrier network with a primary communication signal from a primary carrier network. The method and system load the overhead from the secondary communication signal into unused bytes of the primary communication signal, thereby creating a transport overhead. The payload from each of the secondary communication signal and the primary communication signal are combined, thereby creating a transport payload. The transport payload is combined with the transport overhead to form a transport communication signal. The transport communication signal is sent to a destination where the transport communication signal is disassembled. The secondary communication signal's overhead and payload are removed from the transport communication signal and transmitted in a secondary communication signal to the secondary carrier network.

Abstract: The present invention is a SONET system for use in large geographic areas, such as areas encompassed by an IXC network, or which are larger than a LATA or a metropolitan area. The system uses self-healing rings which are interconnected. Some of the rings are stacked within the same physical routes in order to minimize the number of ring terminals on each ring.

Abstract: The method and system provide for transporting a secondary communication signal from a secondary carrier network with a primary communication signal from a primary carrier network. The method and system load the overhead from the secondary communication signal into unused bytes of the primary communication signal, thereby creating a transport overhead. The payload from each of the secondary communication signal and the primary communication signal are combined, thereby creating a transport payload. The transport payload is combined with the transport overhead to form a transport communication signal. The transport communication signal is sent to a destination where the transport communication signal is disassembled. The secondary communication signal's overhead and payload are removed from the transport communication signal and transmitted in a secondary communication signal to the secondary carrier network.

Abstract: The present invention is a SONET system for use in large geographic areas, such as areas encompassed by an IXC network, or which are larger than a LATA or a metropolitan area. The system uses self-healing rings which are interconnected. Some of the rings are stacked within the same physical routes in order to minimize the number of ring terminals on each ring.

Abstract: A system and method for conversion and transmission of communication signals converts and grooms communication signals in the synchronous digital hierarchy and synchronous optical network formats at low multiplexing levels. In one embodiment, the system receives tributaries from a primary receiver and multiplexes them so as to embed in a payload the tributaries and lower order path overhead as payload components. The payload is converted to a synchronous optical network format and transmitted in a communication signal. However, the payload components remain in the synchronous digital hierarchy format. A converter assembly receives the communication signal and converts and grooms the payload at a virtual tributary group level to a synchronous digital hierarchy format without changing the payload components embedded therein. The converter assembly delivers the communication signal to a receiver where the payload components can be removed from the payload and delivered to a primary receiver.

Abstract: The present invention is a SONET system for use in large geographic areas, such as areas encompassed by an IXC network, or which are larger than a LATA or a metropolitan area. The system uses self-healing rings which are interconnected. Some of the rings are stacked within the same physical routes in order to minimize the number of ring terminals on each ring.