Abstract: A method and apparatus for the efficient dynamic allocation of additional bandwidth in an optical virtual private network (OVPN) are described herein. A software defined network (SDN) controller may receive a request from an end-user of an OVPN for active bandwidth. Then, the SDN controller may determine whether the OVPN requires additional bandwidth to satisfy the request. As of the request, the additional bandwidth may be pre-deployed, but not yet activated for use. In an example, a path computation element (PCE) of the SDN controller may make this determination. Further, the SDN controller, on a condition that additional bandwidth is required, may determine whether additional bandwidth may be activated based on a policy of the end-user. As a result, the SDN controller, on a condition that additional bandwidth may be activated, may transmit an activation message to one or more line cards of the OVPN to activate the additional bandwidth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the efficient dynamic allocation of additional bandwidth in an optical virtual private network (OVPN) are described herein. A software defined network (SDN) controller may receive a request from an end-user of an OVPN for active bandwidth. Then, the SDN controller may determine whether the OVPN requires additional bandwidth to satisfy the request. As of the request, the additional bandwidth may be pre-deployed, but not yet activated for use. In an example, a path computation element (PCE) of the SDN controller may make this determination. Further, the SDN controller, on a condition that additional bandwidth is required, may determine whether additional bandwidth may be activated based on a policy of the end-user. As a result, the SDN controller, on a condition that additional bandwidth may be activated, may transmit an activation message to one or more line cards of the OVPN to activate the additional bandwidth.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method are described for displaying multiple attributes relative to objects in a network management program. In one embodiment, multiple attributes from a plurality of different standards are coalesced together and the coalesced attributes are displayed by a user interface. These coalesced attributes may be shown in such a manner so that inconsistencies between attributes of objects from different standards are reduced or obviated.

Abstract: A method for protecting a span that connects a first node to a second node in a communication network includes the steps of creating a first protection virtual path connecting the first node with the second node through at least a third node using a routing-protocol and a signaling-protocol and monitoring a failure condition in the span. Upon detecting the failure condition in the span, the method also includes the steps of switching automatically to the first protection virtual path, and creating a new protection virtual path, using the routing-protocol and the signaling-protocol, for each span in the first protection virtual path, connecting two nodes at each end of the given span through at least another node.