Abstract: A light-shielding portion (10) shields the light spot of output light output toward a shunt position ? by a projecting portion (12). Hence, the output light output toward the shunt position ? does not travel to an output port (111). This allows to prevent crosstalk.

Abstract: An optical network has: sections for establishing optical paths; a plurality of optical edge routers for connecting external IP networks to the optical network (1001); and a plurality of optical cross connects, for connecting the optical edge routers by the optical paths, having switching sections with respect to an optical pulse unit. In the optical network, each of the optical edge routers has both of: (1) an optical network control instance (INSp) for maintaining topology information in the optical network and switching/signaling the optical paths; and (2) an IP network instance (INSi) for maintaining a routing table in each of the external IP networks and activating routing protocols between the external IP networks and the IP network instance. By doing this, it is possible to realize a multi-layer cooperative function and provide highly safe optical networks, etc.

Abstract: A plurality of pieces of information about a link (hereinafter referred to as “link information”), which are stored in a common DB, are categorized in accordance with the VPN related to each piece of link information. VPNID, which is information for identifying each VPN, is added to each piece of link information which has been categorized. The link information for the same VPNID is extracted from the link information to which the VPNID for the common DB is added so as to be contained in the corresponding VPNDB. By doing this, it is possible to realize a path design for the customer easily by providing the network information in the VPN provider and the network information of the customer network while realizing a high scalability.

Abstract: A light-shielding portion (10) shields the light spot of output light output toward a shunt position ? by a projecting portion (12). Hence, the output light output toward the shunt position ? does not travel to an output port (111). This allows to prevent crosstalk.

Abstract: A data transfer apparatus and a data transfer system are provided that can reduce the cost of installing communication equipment compatible with each of several dissimilar communication protocols in one exchange office and can reduce the cost of constructing the network.

Abstract: A source node, along with transmitting an optical path setup request, notifies towards a destination node available resource information related to itself, pre-assigns the available resources which its own node has notified. Each of transit nodes, along with relaying towards the destination node the optical path setup request which has been received from a previous hop node, notifies towards the destination node available resource information related to itself, and pre-assigns the available resources which each of their own nodes has notified. The destination node, along with reserving a resource which is to be used for setting up an optical path based upon an optical path setup request which has been received, transmits a resource reservation request towards the source node. The transit nodes and the source node actually reserve an available resource which has been pre-assigned, based upon a resource reservation request from a next hop node.

Abstract: A data transfer apparatus and a data transfer system are provided that can reduce the cost of installing communication equipment compatible with each of several dissimilar communication protocols in one exchange office and can reduce the cost of constructing the network.

Abstract: VPNID which is an information for identifying each of VPN is added to each link information which is formed by categorizing a link information in a common DB for each VPN to which the link information relates. The link information for the same VPNID is extracted from the link information to which the VPNID for the common DB is added so as to be contained in the corresponding VPNDB. By doing this, it is possible to realize a path design for the customer easily by providing the network information in the VPN provider and the network information of the customer network while realizing a high scalability.

Abstract: An optical network has: sections for establishing optical paths; a plurality of optical edge routers for connecting external IP networks to the optical network (1001); and a plurality of optical cross connects, for connecting the optical edge routers by the optical paths, having switching sections with respect to an optical pulse unit. In the optical network, each of the optical edge routers has both of: (1) an optical network control instance (INSp) for maintaining topology information in the optical network and switching/signaling the optical paths; and (2) an IP network instance (INSi) for maintaining a routing table in each of the external IP networks and activating routing protocols between the external IP networks and the IP network instance. By doing this, it is possible to realize a multi-layer cooperative function and provide highly safe optical networks, etc.

Abstract: A source node, along with transmitting an optical path setup request, notifies towards a destination node available resource information related to itself, pre-assigns the available resources which its own node has notified. Each of transit nodes, along with relaying towards the destination node the optical path setup request which has been received from a previous hop node, notifies towards the destination node available resource information related to itself, and pre-assigns the available resources which each of their own nodes has notified. The destination node, along with reserving a resource which is to be used for setting up an optical path based upon an optical path setup request which has been received, transmits a resource reservation request towards the source node. The transit nodes and the source node actually reserve an available resource which has been pre-assigned, based upon a resource reservation request from a next hop node.

Abstract: A hinge structure for pivotally connecting a hood or bonnet of an automobile to the automobile for selectively opening and closing an automobile engine compartment of a front body structure of the automobile including a first hinge bracket having one end portion rigidly secured to a stiffening plate which is in turn secured to the hood, and a second hinge bracket having one end portion rigidly secured to a radiator shroud which is in turn secured to the front body structure. The other end portions of the respective first and second hinge brackets are pivotally connected by means of a hinge pin. Each of the first and second hinge brackets is of generally a U-shaped cross-section.