Abstract: An embodiment of the invention comprises a reconfigurable chassis with one or more multi-functionality card slots, where each multi-functionality card slot is capable of being populated with at least one of a plurality of different types of cards, including port cards and switch cards. In a first configuration, the port card slots and the multi-functionality card slots are populated with port cards. In a second configuration, a first set of multi-functionality card slots is populated with switch cards and a second set of multi-functionality card slots is populated with port cards. In a third configuration, the first set of multi-functionality card slots and the second set of multi-functionality card slots are populated with switch cards.

Abstract: An apparatus for managing an optical signal includes a system optics card including an add filter, a drop filter, electrical backplane connector, and a mechanical front panel including express input and output ports providing channels to other system optics cards. The card transports information over a first optical transport link and receives information over a second optical transport link. The card identifies at least one network channel on the second optical transport link destined for a client device. The drop filter delivers the identified network channel to the optical converter card for delivery to the client device. The add filter receives client channels from the optical converter card generated by the client device. The card also transports the client channels of the client device over the first optical transport link. The electrical backplane connector is connectable to a chassis for housing the system optics cards and other system optics cards and/or other optics cards.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention may comprise a reconfigurable chassis with one or more first card slots capable of being populated with a first mechanical form factor card, one or more second card slots capable of being populated with the first mechanical form factor card or with a second mechanical form factor card, and a mechanical slot adaptor configured to occupy at least one second card slot, where the mechanical slot adaptor is configured to provide mechanical support for the second mechanical form factor card in the second card slot.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention comprises a reconfigurable chassis with one or more multi-functionality card slots, where each multi-functionality card slot is capable of being populated with at least one of a plurality of different types of cards, including port cards and switch cards. In a first configuration, the port card slots and the multi-functionality card slots are populated with port cards. In a second configuration, a first set of multi-functionality card slots is populated with switch cards and a second set of multi-functionality card slots is populated with port cards. In a third configuration, the first set of multi-functionality card slots and the second set of multi-functionality card slots are populated with switch cards.

Abstract: Erroneous data due to faults are prevented from propagating through a distributed network node having diversely routed communications links by using a fault masking technique that eliminates the 60 ms of error propagation time associated with SONET networks. The fault masking technique can also prevent random bit errors from propagating through the distributed network node. A frame alignment technique used in the network node is scalable for very wide words (e.g., 128 bits) for use with high speed optical communications protocols, such as OC-192.

Abstract: An apparatus for managing an optical signal includes a system optics card including an add filter, a drop filter, electrical backplane connector, and a mechanical front panel including express input and output ports providing channels to other system optics cards. The card transports information over a first optical transport link and receives information over a second optical transport link. The card identifies at least one network channel on the second optical transport link destined for a client device. The drop filter delivers the identified network channel to the optical converter card for delivery to the client device. The add filter receives client channels from the optical converter card generated by the client device. The card also transports the client channels of the client device over the first optical transport link. The electrical backplane connector is connectable to a chassis for housing the system optics cards and other system optics cards and/or other optics cards.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a first frame of m n-bit bytes. A second frame is constructed at least in part from the first frame. The second frame has j k-bit bytes, wherein k>n, wherein j is selected for a pre-determined p such that p·j·k mod n=0. A plurality (p) of the second frames may be k-bit byte multiplexed to form a composite frame.

Abstract: A network design that reduces the number of wavelengths needed to support communications in a Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) network is disclosed. Wavelengths are reused in isolated sub-networks that do not share common network paths, allowing for the reduction in cost of the WDM equipment supporting the communications in the network.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for protecting optical signals within a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) environment. The system and method utilize a single “protection” wavelength translator device to protect up to N wavelengths. The system and method utilize N+1 wavelength translator devices in order to provide protected transport for N wavelengths.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for horizontally slicing a multi-stage switching fabric having transmission inputs and transmission outputs to and from the switch fabric. The switching fabric includes switch elements arranged in at least first and second stages, each switch element having element inputs and outputs with each switch element being configured to join one of the element inputs with an associated one of the element outputs. The switch fabric includes a first logic device that contains a stage-1 subset of the switch elements that is arranged within, and configured to operate as part of, the first stage. The first logic device also contains a stage-2 subset of the switch elements arranged within, and configured to operate as part of, the second stage. The switch fabric includes a second logic device that contains a stage-1 subset of the switch elements that is arranged within, and configured to operate as part of, the first stage.