Abstract: Migrating data traffic from legacy networks to packet networks by inserting a first circuit emulation device (CEM) at a first endpoint and a second circuit emulation device (CEM) at a second endpoint of a connection in the legacy network, duplicating data traffic provided to the first CEM by routing one copy of the data traffic over the connection in the legacy network to the second CEM and one copy of the data traffic over a packet network from the first CEM to a comparison server, duplicating data traffic provided to the second CEM over the legacy network from the first CEM by routing one copy of the data traffic to customer communication equipment and one copy of the data traffic to the comparison server, comparing the data traffic routed to the comparison server and validating that the packet network can be used to replace the connection in the legacy network.

Abstract: Migrating data traffic from legacy networks to packet networks by inserting a first circuit emulation device (CEM) at a first endpoint and a second circuit emulation device (CEM) at a second endpoint of a connection in the legacy network, duplicating data traffic provided to the first CEM by routing one copy of the data traffic over the connection in the legacy network to the second CEM and one copy of the data traffic over a packet network from the first CEM to a comparison server, duplicating data traffic provided to the second CEM over the legacy network from the first CEM by routing one copy of the data traffic to customer communication equipment and one copy of the data traffic to the comparison server, comparing the data traffic routed to the comparison server and validating that the packet network can be used to replace the connection in the legacy network.

Abstract: Migrating data traffic from legacy networks to packet networks by inserting a first circuit emulation device (CEM) at a first endpoint and a second circuit emulation device (CEM) at a second endpoint of a connection in the legacy network, duplicating data traffic provided to the first CEM by routing one copy of the data traffic over the connection in the legacy network to the second CEM and one copy of the data traffic over a packet network from the first CEM to a comparison server, duplicating data traffic provided to the second CEM over the legacy network from the first CEM by routing one copy of the data traffic to customer communication equipment and one copy of the data traffic to the comparison server, comparing the data traffic routed to the comparison server and validating that the packet network can be used to replace the connection in the legacy network.

Abstract: Migrating data traffic from legacy networks to packet networks by inserting a first circuit emulation device (CEM) at a first endpoint and a second circuit emulation device (CEM) at a second endpoint of a connection in the legacy network, duplicating data traffic provided to the first CEM by routing one copy of the data traffic over the connection in the legacy network to the second CEM and one copy of the data traffic over a packet network from the first CEM to a comparison server, duplicating data traffic provided to the second CEM over the legacy network from the first CEM by routing one copy of the data traffic to customer communication equipment and one copy of the data traffic to the comparison server, comparing the data traffic routed to the comparison server and validating that the packet network can be used to replace the connection in the legacy network.

Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexed optical communication system includes a plurality of optical line terminals which may be part of separate in service networks, each having a line interface and an all-optical pass-through interface including a plurality of pass-through optical ports, and each also including a plurality of local optical ports which are connectable to client equipment and an optical multiplexer/demultiplexer for multiplexing/demultiplexing optical wavelengths. The optical multiplexer/demultiplexer may include one or more stages for inputting/outputting individual wavelengths or bands of a predetermined number of wavelengths, or a combination of bands and individual wavelengths.

Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexed optical communication system includes a plurality of optical line terminals which may be part of separate in service networks, each having a line interface and an all-optical pass-through interface including a plurality of pass-through optical ports, and each also including a plurality of local optical ports which are connectable to client equipment and an optical multiplexer/demultiplexer for multiplexing/demultiplexing optical wavelengths. The optical multiplexer/demultiplexer may include one or more stages for inputting/outputting individual wavelengths or bands of a predetermined number of wavelengths, or a combination of bands and individual wavelengths.

Abstract: A method for communicating optically between nodes of an optical network, including forming, between a first node and a second node of the network, a set of lightpaths, each of the set of lightpaths having a respective configuration, and transferring communication traffic between the first and second nodes via the set of lightpaths. The method also includes forming a determination for the set of lightpaths that a communication traffic level associated therewith is less than a predetermined threshold, and in response to the determination, removing a lightpath having a given configuration from the set of lightpaths to form a reduced set of lightpaths. The method further includes transferring the communication traffic between the first and second nodes via the reduced set of lightpaths, while reducing a level of power consumption in the removed lightpath and while maintaining the given configuration of the removed lightpath.

Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexed optical communication system includes a plurality of optical line terminals which may be part of separate in service networks, each having a line interface and an all-optical pass-through interface including a plurality of pass-through optical ports, and each also including a plurality of local optical ports which are connectable to client equipment and an optical multiplexer/demultiplexer for multiplexing/demultiplexing optical wavelengths. The optical multiplexer/demultiplexer may include one or more stages for inputting/outputting individual wavelengths or bands of a predetermined number of wavelengths, or a combination of bands and individual wavelengths.

Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexed optical communication system includes a plurality of optical line terminals which may be part of separate in service networks, each having a line interface and an all-optical pass-through interface including a plurality of pass-through optical ports, and each also including a plurality of local optical ports which are connectable to client equipment and an optical multiplexer/demultiplexer for multiplexing/demultiplexing optical wavelengths. The optical multiplexer/demultiplexer may include one or more stages for inputting/outputting individual wavelengths or bands of a predetermined number of wavelengths, or a combination of bands and individual wavelengths.

Abstract: Automatic discovery and verification of optical communication links as well as isolation of link failures in an optical communication system.

Abstract: Switching architectures for WDM mesh and ring network nodes are presented. In mesh networks, the switching architectures have multiple levels—a network level having wavelength routers for add, drop and pass-through functions, an intermediate level having device units which handle add and drop signals, and a local level having port units for receiving signals dropped from the network and transmitting signals to be added to the network. The intermediate level device units are selected and arranged for performance and cost considerations. The multilevel architecture also permits the design of reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers for ring network nodes, the easy expansion of ring networks into mesh networks, and the accommodation of protection mechanisms in ring networks.

Abstract: A method and system for setting a variable forward error correction overhead in an optical transport network frame for an optical link at a node are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes selecting a forward error correction overhead, signaling an optical node the selected forward error correction overhead, and setting the forward error correction overhead in the optical network transport frame for use in transmission of data over the optical link. In one embodiment, the forward error correction overhead is complementary to the data payload to maintain total transmission rate.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for using light path priority of service information in an optical network. At a node in the optical network, priority of service information is stored for a plurality of light paths used in the optical network. The node serves traffic in the optical network using the plurality of light paths based on the priority of service information. These techniques provide for prioritizing light paths (wavelengths) for scenarios such as restoration, congestion and resource contention.

Abstract: Switching architectures for WDM mesh and ring network nodes are presented. In mesh networks, the switching architectures have multiple levels—a network level having wavelength routers for add, drop and pass-through functions, an intermediate level having device units which handle add and drop signals, and a local level having port units for receiving signals dropped from the network and transmitting signals to be added to the network. The intermediate level device units are selected and arranged for performance and cost considerations. The multilevel architecture also permits the design of reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers for ring network nodes, the easy expansion of ring networks into mesh networks, and the accommodation of protection mechanisms in ring networks.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to automatically configure packet based network services over Dense Wavelength Division Multiplex (DWDM) network communication links. An optical wavelength is detected at an optical interface of a network device configured to send traffic between a packet switched network and an optical network. A message is sent to an optical control plane comprising information configured to request optical configuration information for the optical wavelength. A response to the message is received comprising the optical configuration information and the wavelength is activated at the optical interface using the optical configuration information. A frame is received over the wavelength that is formatted according to an optical protocol. Packet switched network information is extracting from an overhead portion of the frame that is configured to identify network parameters for configuring a packet switched network link and the associated routing.

Abstract: Switching architectures for WDM mesh and ring network nodes are presented. In mesh networks, the switching architectures have multiple levels—a network level having wavelength routers for add, drop and pass-through functions, an intermediate level having device units which handle add and drop signals, and a local level having port units for receiving signals dropped from the network and transmitting signals to be added to the network. The intermediate level device units are selected and arranged for performance and cost considerations. The multilevel architecture also permits the design of reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers for ring network nodes, the easy expansion of ring networks into mesh networks, and the accommodation of protection mechanisms in ring networks.

Abstract: A method for communicating optically between nodes of an optical network, including forming, between a first node and a second node of the network, a set of lightpaths, each of the set of lightpaths having a respective configuration, and transferring communication traffic between the first and second nodes via the set of lightpaths. The method also includes forming a determination for the set of lightpaths that a communication traffic level associated therewith is less than a predetermined threshold, and in response to the determination, removing a lightpath having a given configuration from the set of lightpaths to form a reduced set of lightpaths. The method further includes transferring the communication traffic between the first and second nodes via the reduced set of lightpaths, while reducing a level of power consumption in the removed lightpath and while maintaining the given configuration of the removed lightpath.

Abstract: Diversity constraints with respect to connections or links in a client layer are conveyed to a server layer where those links or connections are served by paths in the server layer. A network device in the server layer stores data associated paths in the server layer with identifiers for connections in the client layer. The network device in the server layer receives from a network device in the client layer a request to set up a path in the server layer for a connection in the client layer. The network device in the server layer receives information describing the diversity requirements associated with connections in the client layer. The server layer network device computes a route in the server layer for the connection specified in the request based on the diversity requirements.

Abstract: A method for communicating optically between nodes of an optical network, including forming, between a first node and a second node of the network, a set of lightpaths, each of the set of lightpaths having a respective configuration, and transferring communication traffic between the first and second nodes via the set of lightpaths. The method also includes forming a determination for the set of lightpaths that a communication traffic level associated therewith is less than a predetermined threshold, and in response to the determination, removing a lightpath having a given configuration from the set of lightpaths to form a reduced set of lightpaths. The method further includes transferring the communication traffic between the first and second nodes via the reduced set of lightpaths, while reducing a level of power consumption in the removed lightpath and while maintaining the given configuration of the removed lightpath.

Abstract: Switching architectures for WDM mesh and ring network nodes are presented. In mesh networks, the switching architectures have multiple levels—a network level having wavelength routers for add, drop and pass-through functions, an intermediate level having device units which handle add and drop signals, and a local level having port units for receiving signals dropped from the network and transmitting signals to be added to the network. The intermediate level device units are selected and arranged for performance and cost considerations. The multilevel architecture also permits the design of reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers for ring network nodes, the easy expansion of ring networks into mesh networks, and the accommodation of protection mechanisms in ring networks.