Abstract: An embodiment method for managing connections on a communications network having an optical network portion includes receiving a request for a first connection at a controller in signal communication with one or more reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (ROADMs) controlling an optical network portion of a communications network, wherein the controller is connected to the communications network. The controller determines a route on the communications network for the first connection according to conditions of the communications network, with the route comprising one or more first links of the optical network. The controller determines one or more first ROADMs controlling the one or more first links and sends commands from the controller to the one or more first ROADMs to allocate bandwidth on the one or more first links.

Abstract: An embodiment method for managing connections on a communications network having an optical network portion includes receiving a request for a first connection at a controller in signal communication with one or more reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (ROADMs) controlling an optical network portion of a communications network, wherein the controller is connected to the communications network. The controller determines a route on the communications network for the first connection according to conditions of the communications network, with the route comprising one or more first links of the optical network. The controller determines one or more first ROADMs controlling the one or more first links and sends commands from the controller to the one or more first ROADMs to allocate bandwidth on the one or more first links.

Abstract: An embodiment method for managing connections on a communications network having an optical network portion includes receiving a request for a first connection at a controller in signal communication with one or more reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (ROADMs) controlling an optical network portion of a communications network, wherein the controller is connected to the communications network. The controller determines a route on the communications network for the first connection according to conditions of the communications network, with the route comprising one or more first links of the optical network. The controller determines one or more first ROADMs controlling the one or more first links and sends commands from the controller to the one or more first ROADMs to allocate bandwidth on the one or more first links.

Abstract: An embodiment method for managing connections on a communications network having an optical network portion includes receiving a request for a first connection at a controller in signal communication with one or more reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (ROADMs) controlling an optical network portion of a communications network, wherein the controller is connected to the communications network. The controller determines a route on the communications network for the first connection according to conditions of the communications network, with the route comprising one or more first links of the optical network. The controller determines one or more first ROADMs controlling the one or more first links and sends commands from the controller to the one or more first ROADMs to allocate bandwidth on the one or more first links.

Abstract: A self-contained sanitary system includes a stand alone bench carrying a toilet with a flush tank for storing a source of flush water. The system further includes a holding tank. The holding tank is removably associated with the toilet and includes a pair of wheels and a retractable handle.

Abstract: A latching arrangement for a refrigerator positively latches a door of the refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a housing. The door pivotally coupled to the housing. A striker is connected to the housing. The latching arrangement is carried by the door. The latching arrangement includes a handle and a pawl. The handle is connected to the door for movement between a first position and a second position. The handle defining at least one cam surface. The pawls is connected to the door for movement between a latched position engaged with the striker for securing the door in a closed position and an unlatched position allowing the door to be pivoted from the closed position. The pawl includes a cam follower that cooperates with the at least one cam surface such that movement of the handle from the first position to the second position moves the pawl from the latched position to the unlatched position. The latch is partly or completely concealed in the door edge.

Abstract: A refrigerator shelving system includes an item retainer for securing items carried on a shelf, a mounting member for releasably securing a shelf to a cabinet of the refrigerator, and a spill tray carried by the shelf. The item retainer is movable between a first position and a second position such that when in the first position, a first side upwardly extends from the shelf and defines a fence and when in the second position the first side is parallel and adjacent to an upper surface of the shelf The shelf mounting member includes a first portion rotatably interconnected to a lateral side of the shelf and a second portion for selectively engaging a horizontal slot of a cabinet of the refrigerator. The mounting member is rotatable from a first position to a second position to engage the second portion with the horizontal slot. The spill tray includes a main body portion and a plurality of mounting elements.