Abstract: A method and system for automatic allocation of port addresses in a network is provided. The node performs a self-discovery after initial power-up, and for each port on the node, using unique values associated with the port in the network hierarchy, applies a function that allows for an inverse function to the set of values to generate a default unique address for the port. A typical hierarchical structure in a network is the network area, node, and, within the node, the shelf, the card and the port. Next, the node sends a frame including the default port address and node identifier, from the port to a connected node. The node polls the port for a frame with network information associated with the connected port on the other node.

Abstract: The invention describes methods and systems for monitoring the performance of an optical network by marking a group of optical signals with a set of identification tags which are unique to network characteristics. In the preferred embodiments, fiber identification (FID) and bundle identification (BID) tags are encoded into optical signals by marking an optical signal with low frequency dither tones whose frequencies are unique to the fiber section and to a bundle of fibers respectively. Detecting of the FID and BID tones provides more effective and accurate monitoring of performance of the optical network and allows determining of the network topology, e.g. paths of optical channels and traffic load through different fiber sections in the network. Other sets of hierarchically arranged identifiers encoded into optical signals have also been proposed, including band, conduit, city, region, country, etc. identifiers, as well as identifiers related to network security and service characteristics.

Abstract: The invention describes methods and systems for monitoring the performance of an optical network by introducing a fiber identification (FID) tag and/or bundle identification (BID) tag which are unique to the fiber section and to the bundle of fibers respectively. The FID tag is introduced by marking an optical signal, traveling through a section of fiber, with a low frequency dither tone whose frequency is unique to the fiber section. Similarly, the BID tag is introduced by marking an optical signal, traveling through a section of fiber in a bundle of fibers, with another low frequency dither tone whose frequency is unique to the bundle section. Detecting of the FID and BID tones either alone or along with an optionally introduced channel identification (CID) tone, which is unique to the optical signal, provides more effective and accurate monitoring of performance of the optical network and allows determining of the network topology, e.g.

Abstract: A packet routing/switching system and method are provided by which label switched routing is performed within a hierarchy of LSP/FA-LSPs defined/provisioned in a network of interconnected nodes. Rather than transmitting an entire label stack with an LSP label for each LSP/FA-LSP in the hierarchy, at a given node in the network, a single LSP label is transmitted together with a components label which contains a list of component identifiers which do not inherently identify LSP/FA-LSPs, but from which the full LSP/FA-LSP labels can be determined locally at each node using previously distributed information described in detail below. The list of component identifiers is a shorthand way identifying to adjacent nodes the identity of the LSP/FA-LSP hierarchy without transmitting the entire LSP labels and thus significantly reducing overhead. The single label which is transmitted is the label of the LSP/FA-LSP of which the given node forms a part.

Abstract: An improved local synchronization module which uses Frequency-phase adaptive double locked loop (FPADLL) to control a stable controllable oscillator is disclosed. A single physical feedback loop is implemented which can operate in either a phase locked loop mode or a frequency locked loop mode. The sync module includes a controller which determines in which mode the feedback loop operates. The controller also uses slipping information from a network reference recovery interface to reduce slipping. Also effects of ageing of the stable controllable oscillator are predicted and compensated for.

Abstract: An improved local synchronization module which uses Frequency-phase adaptive double locked loop (FPADLL) to control a stable controllable oscillator is disclosed. A single physical feedback loop is implemented which can operate in either a phase locked loop mode or a frequency locked loop mode. The sync module includes a controller which determines in which mode the feedback loop operates. The controller also uses slipping information from a network reference recovery interface to reduce slipping. Also effects of ageing of the stable controllable oscillator are predicted and compensated for.

Abstract: An improved local synchronization module which uses Frequency-phase adaptive double locked loop (FPADLL) to control a stable controllable oscillator is disclosed. A single physical feedback loop is implemented which can operate in either a phase locked loop mode or a frequency locked loop mode. The sync module includes a controller which determines in which mode the feedback loop operates. The controller also uses slipping information from a network reference recovery interface to reduce slipping. Also effects of ageing of the stable controllable oscillator are predicted and compensated for.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving messages defined by data packets having respective header and payload portions where each header portion includes a channel representation regarding a channel associated with the data packet and an end of message representation representing whether or not the data packet is a final data packet in the message and where each payload portion includes information pertaining to the message. The apparatus includes data memory for storing the payload portions of the data packets, list memory, a header processor for receiving the header portion of the data packet and for providing status signals indicative of the channel representation and the end of message representation, and a reassembly processor programmed to maintain in the list memory a pointer list of address pointers to unused blocks of data memory and a link list of address pointers associated with each channel.

Abstract: A digital data communications system, comprises a master station and a plurality of slave stations communicating with said master station in a multiburst scheme over a digital link having a plurality of communication channels associated respectively with said slave stations. In each frame the master station transmits a master burst over all the channels and the slave stations transmit slave bursts over the respective channels associated therewith.