Abstract: A system and method are disclosed in which an optical network may include an optical-electrical converter module within an OEO (Optical Electrical Optical) reach extension system (OEO RE system), the OEO RE system having an OEO port and including a downstream frame regeneration block; and a downstream control data extraction block including a GPON operating parameter extraction module (GOPEM), wherein the GOPEM is operable to extract at least one OEO-port operating parameter from data frames arriving at the GOPEM module.

Abstract: The present invention relates to communications networks, and more particularly to packet switching and routing devices used in communication networks that provide efficient multicast services. The invention provides methods and systems for switching and routing of multicast data packets in two stages. In particular, in the first stage a received multicast data packet is in an internal multicast operation by an ingress line card across a switching fabric to a plurality of egress line cards through which multicast destinations of the packet are reachable. In a second stage each egress line card further replicates the data packet to the actual transmission links across which the multicast group are reachable. This invention also includes system performing this method. The invention reduces the service time for the multicast packets making it the same as for the unicast packets, and provides for better system throughput in comparison to traditional systems.