Abstract: Network resources are assigned as dedicated, shared, or public network resources. The resources are then allocated to L1-VPN subscribers on demand. Splitting assignment of the resources from allocation of the resources enables resources to be assigned to more than one subscriber on the network. Temporary physical dedication of the resources to one of the subscribers may be accomplished by allocating the assigned resources on demand, so that particular subscribers are provided with dedicated resources on an as-needed basis. Dedication of the network resources allows the network resources to be configured, managed, and controlled by the customers. The network resources may be optical resources and the links may be time slots on particular fibers. Optionally, by enabling prioritization to cause displacement of link allocations, additional flexibility may be obtained in allocating links to L1-VPNs such as by allowing the use of private and shared resources by other subscribers.

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: An aspect of the present invention provides a method of controlling a multi-layer transport network. In accordance with the invention a determination is made as to whether a connection supporting a performance requirement of a call can be established within a first layer of the network. If the connection cannot be established, an association is defined between the call and a second call instantiated within a respective server layer of the network. By this means a network call controller in a client layer relies on a call and connection in a server layer instead of a connection in the client layer.

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 aspect of the present invention provides a method of controlling a multi-layer transport network. In accordance with the invention a determination is made as to whether a connection supporting a performance requirement of a call can be established within a first layer of the network. If the connection cannot be established, an association is defined between the call and a second call instantiated within a respective server layer of the network. By this means a network call controller in a client layer relies on a call and connection in a server layer instead of a connection in the client layer.

Abstract: Multicast capabilities of a link state protocol controlled network are used to accelerate the flooding advertisement of topology change notifications within portions of the network. This flooding mechanism may be particularly efficient in a network with a large number of two-connected nodes such as a ring network architecture. A control plane specific multicast group address is used when flooding topology change notifications, and a process such as reverse path forwarding check is used as an additional control on forwarding of the notification to prevent looping of control plane packets. Two-connected nodes insert a forwarding entry into their FIB to enable frames containing the control message to be forwarded via the data plane on to the downstream node so that propagation of the control message along a chain of two-connected nodes may occur at data plane speeds.

Abstract: A data packet for transmission in a data network having one or more layers. The data packet has a label stack with one or more labels on the basis of which the data packet can be switched in the data network, where each label has a switching significance in one or more of the layers of the data network. The data packet also has at least one layer identifier associated with a label in the label stack.

Abstract: A node within a mesh network includes an Optical Connection Controller (OCC) and a network element. When a connection path within the mesh network is required, an OCC determines if a particular connection path requires a network element to operate as a virtual gateway to separate the mesh network into separate protection domains for that particular connection path. A connection path might require separate protection domains in cases in which the number of network elements and/or repeater/amplifier components for a particular connection path is greater than a threshold, the total length of links for the connection path is above a threshold and/or another factor that could cause the recovery time for the connection path to increase beyond an acceptable threshold level. If the OCC determines that one or more virtual gateways are required for a particular connection path, the OCC selects an appropriate network element within the network to operate as a virtual gateway for that particular connection path.

Abstract: A serial data stream is mapped through a cross-connect via two or more parallel independent shelves. The serial data stream is split into at least two sub-streams. If the lead frame of a sub-stream contains a concatenation indicator, it is replaced by a valid payload pointer, and a spilt indicator is inserted into the frame. Each of the sub-streams is then mapped through the cross-connect via a respective parallel independent shelf. Finally, the sub-streams are recombined to form an output serial data stream equivalent to the original serial data stream. If the lead frame of a sub-stream contains a split indicator, a concatenation indicator is inserted into the corresponding frame of the output serial data stream to restore the concatenation of the original serial data stream. Otherwise, a payload pointer within the lead frame is replaced by a valid payload pointer in the corresponding frame of the output data stream.

Abstract: An OP-N connection is mapped through a communications network between first and second end-nodes via at least one intermediate node. The integrity and validity of the OP-N connection can be determined independently of SONET/SDH lines, sections or paths mapped through the network, and potentially utilizing bandwidth of the OP-N connection. Validation of the OP-N connection can be accomplished by inserting performance monitor (PM) information into a data signal at the first end-node. In some embodiments, the PM information is inserted into an unused portion of the transport overhead (TOH) of a SONET/SDH data signal. At each intermediate node between the first and second end-nodes, the PM information is extracted from the data signal, buffered while the data signal is pointer processed, and the reinserted before forwarding the data signal. Finally, a the second end-point, the PM information is extracted and examined.

Abstract: Call Control entities in a network communicate between themselves by amending call processing messages to include encrypted network information. As such, a call may be established whose path through the network is dependent on the paths of other calls. Information of a scope larger than a Call Controller normally possesses can, as a result of this communication, be made available to Call Controllers for constraining call establishment. This information could relate to other calls and connections associated with those other calls. The information may also relate to gateways in and to adjacent networks and the Call Controllers in the adjacent networks that are related to the current Call Controller.

Abstract: The virtually unused switching fabric of an OC-192 SONET transport node is used to greater effect when used as a switching node. Several of the nodes are used in the central office (CO) of a communication network. Each node terminates an optical network link and each node hosts a number of transport cards that also terminate different optical network links. The nodes provide space-switching between the cards. Additionally an intra-CO optical link is provided that interconnects the nodes to allow traffic flow between any of the optical network links in the CO that are terminated by transport cards or the nodes.

Abstract: Network resources are assigned as dedicated, shared, or public network resources. The resources are then allocated to L1-VPN subscribers on demand. Splitting assignment of the resources from allocation of the resources enables resources to be assigned to more than one subscriber on the network. Temporary physical dedication of the resources to one of the subscribers may be accomplished by allocating the assigned resources on demand, so that particular subscribers are provided with dedicated resources on an as-needed basis. Dedication of the network resources allows the network resources to be configured, managed, and controlled by the customers. The network resources may be optical resources and the links may be time slots on particular fibers. Optionally, by enabling prioritization to cause displacement of link allocations, additional flexibility may be obtained in allocating links to L1-VPNs such as by allowing the use of private and shared resources by other subscribers.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides a method of controlling a multi-layer transport network. In accordance with the invention a determination is made as to whether a connection supporting a performance requirement of a call can be established within a first layer of the network. If the connection cannot be established, an association is defined between the call and a second call instantiated within a respective server layer of the network. By this means a network call controller in a client layer relies on a call and connection in a server layer instead of a connection in the client layer.

Abstract: A data packet for transmission in a data network having one or more layers. The data packet has a label stack with one or more labels on the basis of which the data packet can be switched in the data network, where each label has a switching significance in one or more of the layers of the data network. The data packet also has at least one layer identifier associated with a label in the label stack.

Abstract: A protection switching technique associated with an OP-n sublayer of a communications network is presented. Among the advantages presented by this protection switching technique of the present invention are the ability to provision logical protected subnetworks that are not constrained to the topology of the physical line systems, the ability of a single high capacity link system to support multiple protected subnetworks, the ability to provide complex protection schemes such as m:n protection within the physical link system.

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: Call Control entities in a network communicate between themselves by amending call processing messages to include encrypted network information. As such, a call may be established whose path through the network is dependent on the paths of other calls. Information of a scope larger than a Call Controller normally possesses can, as a result of this communication, be made available to Call Controllers for constraining call establishment. This information could relate to other calls and connections associated with those other calls. The information may also relate to gateways in and to adjacent networks and the Call Controllers in the adjacent networks that are related to the current Call Controller.

Abstract: The virtually unused switching fabric of an OC-192 SONET transport node is used to greater effect when used as a switching node. Several of the nodes are used in the central office (CO) of a communication network. Each node terminates an optical network link and each node hosts a number of transport cards that also terminate different optical network links. The nodes provide space-switching between the cards. Additionally an intra-CO optical link is provided that interconnects the nodes to allow traffic flow between any of the optical network links in the CO that are terminated by transport cards or the nodes.

Abstract: A serial data stream is mapped through a cross-connect via two or more parallel independent shelves. The serial data stream is split into at least two sub-streams. If the lead frame of a sub-stream contains a concatenation indicator, it is replacing by a valid payload pointer, and a split indicator is inserted into the frame. Each of the sub-streams is then mapped through the cross-connect via a respective parallel independent shelf. Finally, the sub-streams are recombined to form an output serial data stream equivalent to the original serial data stream. If the lead frame of a sub-stream contains a split indicator, a concatenation indicator is inserted into the corresponding frame of the output serial data stream to restore the concatenation of the original serial data stream. Otherwise, a payload pointer within the lead frame is replaced by a valid payload pointer in the corresponding frame of the output data stream.