Abstract: A method for detecting the liveliness and synchronizing the control-plane and data-plane on protecting connections in a shared mesh network environment through methods for probing the protecting connection conditions by sending in-band messages; and synchronization of control plane and data plane by using LSP-ping messages on the protecting connections.

Abstract: A node comprising a packet network interface, an ethernet switch, an optical port, and a distribution engine. The packet network interface adapted to receive a packet having a destination address and a first bit and a second bit. The ethernet switch is adapted to receive and forward the packet into a virtual queue associated with a destination. The optical port has circuitry for transmitting to a plurality of circuits. The distribution engine has one or more processors configured to execute processor executable code to cause the distribution engine to (1) read a first bit and a second bit from the virtual queue, (2) provide the first bit and the second bit to the at least one optical port for transmission to a first predetermined group of the plurality of circuits.

Abstract: A method for detecting the liveliness and synchronizing the control-plane and data-plane on protecting connections in a shared mesh network environment through methods for probing the protecting connection conditions by sending in-band messages; and synchronization of control plane and data plane by using LSP-ping messages on the protecting connections.

Abstract: A method comprising the steps of receiving, with circuitry at a first node, a signal indicative of a request to set up an optical channel data unit label switched path between the first node and a second node in a network. Time slots for a plurality of types of signals to be transmitted from the first node to the second node are reserved, and a set up message is transmitted from the first node to the second node. The set up message identifies the plurality of signal types and the reserved time slots. The optical channel data unit label switched path is then provided between the first and second nodes.

Abstract: A method and node are disclosed. In the method, circuitry of a first node generates a link state advertising message including bandwidth information indicative of unreserved number of optical channel data unit containers for a plurality of different types of signals supported by an interface of the first node. The link state advertising message is transmitted from the first node to a plurality of second nodes within a mesh network.

Abstract: A method comprising the steps of receiving a signal indicative of a failure of a working connection in a mesh network having a headend node, a tailend node and an intermediate node, and having a protecting connection, and transmitting an activation message via the protecting connection from at least one of the headend node and the tailend node to the intermediate node for activating the protecting connection.

Abstract: A switch node provided with a switch, an input interface and an output interface. The input interface is adapted to couple to a first communication link to receive a first TDM frame having a user payload field containing a first user data from the first communication link, and a frame overhead field containing a first identification. The input interface is configured to validate the first identification in the frame overhead field and reject the first TDM frame responsive to the first identification being invalid, and to forward the first user data to the switch responsive to the first identification being valid. The output interface is adapted to couple to a second communication link. The output interface is configured to receive the first user data from the switch, and to generate a second TDM frame having a second user payload field containing the first user data, and a second frame overhead field containing a second identification that is different from the first identification.

Abstract: A network device includes a multi-chassis system in which each chassis includes a RSVP-TE protocol stack that may provide RSVP-TE services for LSP tunnels associated with each chassis. The multi-chassis system may include an administrative chassis. The administrative chassis may forward RSVP messages to other chassis of the network device. The administrative chassis may encapsulate the RSVP messages with a chassis address. The other chassis may de-encapsulate the RSVP messages and process the RSVP messages according to the RSVP-TE protocol. The administrative chassis may obtain session information associated with other chassis based on RSVP messages received. The administrative chassis may manage adjacency mechanisms and failure and recovery mechanisms. The multi-chassis system including the distributed RSVP-TE protocol stacks may minimize scalability issues and improve performance when high-capacity routing and/or switching services are needed.

Abstract: A method includes receiving client data; extracting overhead data from the client data; mapping the client data into one or more frames, where each of the one or more frames has a frame payload section and a frame overhead section, where the client data is mapped into the frame payload section of the one or more frames; inserting the overhead data into the frame overhead section of the one or more frames; transporting the one or more frames across a network; extracting the overhead data from the frame overhead section of the one or more frames; recovering the client data from the one or more frames; inserting the extracted overhead data into the recovered client data to create modified client data; and outputting the modified client data.

Abstract: A subnetwork connection system is provided that includes line modules configures to receive traffic signals over bridged, individual corresponding channels. The line modules are grouped into sets at a lower protection layer, while the sets of line modules are organized into working legs and protection legs at an upper protection layer. The line modules are activated and deactivated based on different upper and lower protection schemes associated with the upper and lower protection layers. The subconnection system further includes state maps associated with each of the line modules. The state maps store state data that activates and deactivates the line modules. The state maps are updates in accordance with the lower protection scheme to permit intra-leg switching between the line modules in one of the working and protection legs.