Abstract: In a mesh network, a network element for providing protection switching in a 1:N shared mesh protection scheme having a first protection path associated with a pair of working paths selected from the N working paths is disclosed.

Abstract: In a mesh network, a network element for providing protection switching in a 1:N shared mesh protection scheme having a first protection path associated with a pair of working paths selected from the N working paths is disclosed.

Abstract: In a mesh network, a network element for providing protection switching in a 1:N shared mesh protection scheme having a first protection path associated with a pair of working paths selected from the N working paths is disclosed.

Abstract: A data communication apparatus having a plurality of working ports for exchanging data traffic with a network element and at least one protection port. The communication apparatus also has a protection switching functional element to switch data traffic from a failed working port to the at least one protection port. The protection switching functional element is capable to acquire either one of a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. The first mode of operation is an 1:Q mode using a single protection port where Q is the number of working ports and Q is equal or greater than 1. The second mode of operation is an M:N mode where M is the number of protection ports and N is the number of working ports, where M and N are greater than 1.

Abstract: A node within a mesh network includes an Optical Connection Controller (OCC) and a network element. When a connection path within the mesh network is required, an OCC determines if a particular connection path requires a network element to operate as a virtual gateway to separate the mesh network into separate protection domains for that particular connection path. A connection path might require separate protection domains in cases in which the number of network elements and/or repeater/amplifier components for a particular connection path is greater than a threshold, the total length of links for the connection path is above a threshold and/or another factor that could cause the recovery time for the connection path to increase beyond an acceptable threshold level. If the OCC determines that one or more virtual gateways are required for a particular connection path, the OCC selects an appropriate network element within the network to operate as a virtual gateway for that particular connection path.

Abstract: Commands are shown and described that enable a user to manipulate a call connection for the purpose of maintaining links in a network. The Block command prevents new traffic from being added to an output port of a device in a connection. The Forced Restoration/Release of Forced Restoration command set may be used to service the working channel. The Lockout of Restoration/Release of Lockout commands provide an alternative method of servicing a working connection and preventing unnecessary generation of redundant connections in the network.

Abstract: A shared mesh protection scheme defines an associated protection path when a working connection is established. During the protection path definition, the corresponding protection path information is sent down to a switch card of network elements making up the protection path. Upon detection of the failure, the network elements using an overhead byte message will inform the routing source network element of the connection of the failure in the working path. The overhead bytes used are interrupt driven bytes located in the line and path overhead of network traffic. The routing source node of the connection will then send the corresponding overhead byte messages down the protection path to provide for protection path establishment according to the preloaded data located at the switch card. It should be noted that each connection can have a source and termination element which relates to the source from where the corresponding connection was set-up rather than the direction of the payload transmission.

Abstract: In a mesh connected communications network, nested link protection for a working link between two nodes across the network is provided. In the event of a fault on the working link between the two nodes, traffic on the link may be switched to a single parallel link between the two nodes, thereby restoring traffic on the link. Additionally, a link protection path extending between the two nodes is provisioned by way of at least one intermediate node. In the event the parallel protection link is not available, traffic carried on the working link may be switched to the link protection path, restoring traffic to the second node by way of the intermediate node. Conveniently, link protection path switching may be used in the event the parallel protection link is not available or at the choice of an operator.

Abstract: A shared mesh protection scheme defines an associated protection path when a working connection is established. During the protection path definition, the corresponding protection path information is sent down to a switch card of network elements making up the protection path. Upon detection of the failure, the network elements using an overhead byte message will inform the routing source network element of the connection of the failure in the working path. The overhead bytes used are interrupt driven bytes located in the line and path overhead of network traffic. The routing source node of the connection will then send the corresponding overhead byte messages down the protection path to provide for protection path establishment according to the preloaded data located at the switch card. It should be noted that each connection can have a source and termination element which relates to the source from where the corresponding connection was set-up rather than the direction of the payload transmission.

Abstract: A shared mesh protection scheme defines an associated protection path when a working connection is established. Both global and local protection schemes are used to provide advantages similar to ring and span protection switching in ring networks. During the global protection path definition, the corresponding protection path information is sent down to a switch card of network elements making up the protection path. Upon detection of the failure, the network elements using an overhead byte message will inform the routing source network element of the connection of the failure in the working path The overhead bytes used are interrupt driven bytes located in the line and path overhead of network traffic The routing source node of the connection will then send the corresponding overhead byte messages down the protection path to provide for protection path establishment according to the preloaded data located at the switch card.

Abstract: A node within a mesh network includes an Optical Connection Controller (OCC) and a network element. When a connection path within the mesh network is required, an OCC determines if a particular connection path requires a network element to operate as a virtual gateway to separate the mesh network into separate protection domains for that particular connection path. A connection path might require separate protection domains in cases in which the number of network elements and/or repeater/amplifier components for a particular connection path is greater than a threshold, the total length of links for the connection path is above a threshold and/or another factor that could cause the recovery time for the connection path to increase beyond an acceptable threshold level. If the OCC determines that one or more virtual gateways are required for a particular connection path, the OCC selects an appropriate network element within the network to operate as a virtual gateway for that particular connection path.