Abstract: Described are a system and method for establishing zone-based pricing for services transported over connectionless and connection-oriented networks. The connectivity network supporting the service is partitioned into one or more zones. A node connected to a packet transport network receives a packet associated with the service. The packet has information that is used to identify one of the zones of the connectivity network to which the packet can be transmitted. Service providers are thus able to use zoning to apply a pricing structure for services traditionally lacking distance-based pricing, such as Ethernet, Storage, and Internet Protocol services.

Abstract: Described are a system and method for establishing zone-based pricing for services transported over connectionless and connection-oriented networks. The connectivity network supporting the service is partitioned into one or more zones. A node connected to a packet transport network receives a packet associated with the service. The packet has information that is used to identify one of the zones of the connectivity network to which the packet can be transmitted. Service providers are thus able to use zoning to apply a pricing structure for services traditionally lacking distance-based pricing, such as Ethernet, Storage, and Internet Protocol services.

Abstract: An optical network and method for managing a service across an optical network over a dedicated circuit between first and second service termination points include generating a service performance report message (PRM) at each service termination point. Each service PRM has service-specific information related to a performance of the service as determined by the service termination point generating that service PRM. Each service PRM identifies the service to which the service-specific information in that service PRM pertains. Each service termination point transmits the service PRM generated by that service termination point across the optical network over the dedicated circuit to the other service termination point through a service management channel of an optical transport facility.

Abstract: Described are a system and method for managing a service across an optical network over a dedicated circuit between a first and second service termination points. Each service termination point generates a service performance report message. Each service performance report messages has information related to a performance of the service as determined by the service termination point generating the message. The service termination points exchange the service performance report messages over a service management channel to enable an assessment of the performance of the service based on the service performance report messages from both service termination points. Through access to and use of the service management channel, service providers can implement an edge management model or a core management model for measuring the performance of their services with respect to service level agreements governing those services.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method for transporting a SONET formatted asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) signal and/or a synchronous transfer mode (STM) signal on a line switched ring over a unidirectional path. The SONET formatted ATM signal comprises cells mapped into a STS-Mc or m×STS-1s while the STM signal comprises STS-1s/VTS mapped STS-W. A unidirectional line switched ring is provided for transporting the STM STS-W using a unidirectional path switched protection protocol and the ATM STS-Mc using a unidirectional line switched protection protocol. A ring node comprises input and output ring interfaces, an STS management block, an ATM cell management block, and a non-ATM payload management block. The STS management block routes the traffic to the ATM cell management block and to the non-ATM payload management block, according to the traffic type. The STS management block also provides the UPSR protection for the STS-1s and ULSR protection for the STS-Mc.

Abstract: Described are a system and method for managing a service across an optical network over a dedicated circuit between a first and second service termination points. Each service termination point generates a service performance report message. Each service performance report messages has information related to a performance of the service as determined by the service termination point generating the message. The service termination points exchange the service performance report messages over a service management channel to enable an assessment of the performance of the service based on the service performance report messages from both service termination points. Through access to and use of the service management channel, service providers can implement an edge management model or a core management model for measuring the performance of their services with respect to service level agreements governing those services.

Abstract: An improved access system for use in a Fiber-In-The-Loop (FITL) communications network is disclosed. The access system comprises a host digital terminal (HDT) and a plurality of subtending optical network units (ONUs). The digital signal processing (DSP) functions traditionally executed by line interface units (LIUs) within the ONUs are migrated to the HDT, rendering the individual ONUs simpler, cheaper and more reliable. This is made possible by the provision in each ONU of an oversampling codec for sampling (and conversion) of upstream and downstream data at a very high bit rate. The large bandwidths of the data communicated between the ONUs and the HDT are easily handled by the fiber optic medium therebetween.

Abstract: An improved access system for use in a Fiber-In-The-Loop (FITL) communications network is disclosed. The access system comprises a host digital terminal (HDT) and a plurality of subtending optical network units (ONUs). The digital signal processing (DSP) functions traditionally executed by line interface units (LIUs) within the ONUs are migrated to the HDT, rendering the individual ONUs simpler, cheaper and more reliable. This is made possible by the provision in each ONU of an oversampling codec for sampling (and conversion) of upstream and downstream data at a very high bit rate. The large bandwidths of the data communicated between the ONUs and the HDT are easily handled by the fiber optic medium therebetween.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method for transporting a SONET formatted asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) signal and/or a synchronous transfer mode (STM) signal on a line switched ring over a unidirectional path. The SONET formatted ATM signal comprises cells mapped into a STS-Mc or m×STS-1s while the STM signal comprises STS-1s/VTs mapped STS-W. A unidirectional line switched ring is provided for transporting the STM STS-W using a unidirectional path switched protection protocol and the ATM STS-Mc using a unidirectional line switched protection protocol. A ring node comprises input and output ring interfaces, an STS management block, an ATM cell management block, and a non-ATM payload management block. The STS management block routes the traffic to the ATM cell management block and to the non-ATM payload management block, according to the traffic type. The STS management block also provides the UPSR protection for the STS-1s and ULSR protection for the STS-Mc.

Abstract: An improved access system for use in a Fiber-In-The-Loop (FITL) communications network is disclosed. The access system comprises a host digital terminal (HDT) and a plurality of subtending optical network units (ONUs). The digital signal processing (DSP) functions traditionally executed by line interface units (LIUs) within the ONUs are migrated to the HDT, rendering the individual ONUs simpler, cheaper and more reliable. This is made possible by the provision in each ONU of an oversampling codec for sampling (and conversion) of upstream and downstream data at a very high bit rate. The large bandwidths of the data communicated between the ONUs and the HDT are easily handled by the fiber optic medium therebetween. In the HDT, DSP functions are executed by a common pool, or bank, of DSP ASICs. Decimators are provided in the HDT in order to properly format the data for processing by the DSPs.