Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein provide a method and system for automatically directing data in a computer network based on traffic demands. In one preferred embodiment, traffic demands of a computer network are determined, and data is automatically directed in the computer network based on the determined traffic demands. Other preferred embodiments are provided, and any or all of the preferred embodiments described herein can be used alone or in combination with one another.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein provide a method and system for reconfiguring a network element such as an optical network element. In one preferred embodiment, a reconfiguration frame is transmitted from a source node to an optical network element via a lightpath, and the optical network element is reconfigured while the reconfiguration frame crosses the optical network element. In this way, information bits transmitted by the source node after the reconfiguration frame are not dropped when the optical network element is reconfigured. One advantage associated with these preferred embodiments is that they can provide agile, seamless reconfiguration of lightpaths in core/backbone optical communication networks. Other preferred embodiments are provided, and each of the preferred embodiments described herein can be used alone or in combination with one another. In some embodiments, reconfiguration frames are used with electronic network elements instead of or in addition to optical network elements.