Abstract: Systems and methods for strategizing the insertion and/or removal of a node into and/or out of a network are provided. A system, according to one implementation, includes a processing device and a memory device configured to store a computer program. The computer program includes instructions that, when executed, enable the processing device to configure a Network Element (NE) in a pass-through mode whereby channels are neither added nor dropped to thereby prepare the NE for insertion into or removal from a photonic network. Upon the insertion of the NE into the photonic network or the removal of the NE from the photonic network, the instructions may further enable the processing device to perform a zero configuration procedure for automatically establishing communication along one or more Optical Service Channels (OSCs) and for automatically controlling gain and loss characteristics along one or more fiber links altered by the insertion or removal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for strategizing the insertion and/or removal of a node into and/or out of a network are provided. A system, according to one implementation, includes a processing device and a memory device configured to store a computer program. The computer program includes instructions that, when executed, enable the processing device to configure a Network Element (NE) in a pass-through mode whereby channels are neither added nor dropped to thereby prepare the NE for insertion into or removal from a photonic network. Upon the insertion of the NE into the photonic network or the removal of the NE from the photonic network, the instructions may further enable the processing device to perform a zero configuration procedure for automatically establishing communication along one or more Optical Service Channels (OSCs) and for automatically controlling gain and loss characteristics along one or more fiber links altered by the insertion or removal.

Abstract: Systems and methods of end-to-end data path integrity validation of a service with a data path at Layer 1 and Layer 2 implemented by a network element include, responsive to initiation of a test, messaging between network elements in the data path to coordinate defect and statistics collection at each of the network elements in the data path; receiving results for the defect and statistics collection from each of the network elements in the data path; and summarizing the received results to form a consolidated report for the test across all of the network elements in the data path.

Abstract: Systems and methods for Ethernet forwarding based on inferring topology in a G.8032 ring via control frames, implemented in a network element, include monitoring received control frames; determining which line port on the network element in the G.8032 ring is active based on the received control frames such that the topology of the G.8032 ring is inferred based on the received control frames; and forwarding data frames on the determined line port. The systems and methods can further include, subsequent to a fault and associated G.8032 protection which modifies ring blocks in the G.8032 ring, determining a change in the topology based on the received control frames; and updating the forwarding of the data frames based on the change.

Abstract: Systems and methods of end-to-end data path integrity validation of a service with a data path at Layer 1 and Layer 2 implemented by a network element include, responsive to initiation of a test, messaging between network elements in the data path to coordinate defect and statistics collection at each of the network elements in the data path; receiving results for the defect and statistics collection from each of the network elements in the data path; and summarizing the received results to form a consolidated report for the test across all of the network elements in the data path.

Abstract: A method includes automatically detecting an association between members based on their relationship to one another; sharing topology and cluster information between the members; and determining roles for each member, based on the topology and cluster information and rules, wherein the roles are used to automatically provision at least one resource on each member, without user intervention. A method of configuring network devices sharing a pool of available resources is also described, wherein the network devices have management connectivity between one another through a plurality of point-to-point connections. The method includes, after a point-to-point connection in the management connectivity is formed based on cabling of associated network devices, determining a resource index number for each of the associated network devices; and uniquely assigning the resources from the pool to each of the network devices based on their respective resource index number.

Abstract: A method includes automatically detecting an association between members based on their relationship to one another; sharing topology and cluster information between the members; and determining roles for each member, based on the topology and cluster information and rules, wherein the roles are used to automatically provision at least one resource on each member, without user intervention. A method of configuring network devices sharing a pool of available resources is also described, wherein the network devices have management connectivity between one another through a plurality of point-to-point connections. The method includes, after a point-to-point connection in the management connectivity is formed based on cabling of associated network devices, determining a resource index number for each of the associated network devices; and uniquely assigning the resources from the pool to each of the network devices based on their respective resource index number.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides protection systems and methods for Ethernet ports. In particular, the present invention may provide a form of facility protection for any two facilities, located on any two cards. The facilities are provisioned as a protected pair and using automatic ITU-T Y.1731 control frames for control. In an exemplary embodiment, provisioning includes creation of an L2 protection service and associating it to a pair of facilities. One facility is identified as a working facility and the other as a protection facility. Under normal conditions (i.e., no facility fault), the working facility is in an active state and not conditioning while the protection facility is in a standby state and transmitting conditioning to subtending equipment. If a facility fault is detected at the working facility, then the working facility transmits condition Remote Fault (RF) and the protection facility removes it's transmit conditioning and becomes the active facility.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for controlling the flow of video over Ethernet (VoE) traffic in a network are disclosed. The method can include originating the VoE traffic from an add node in the network. A first control signal can be received from a first drop node in the network containing a drop port configured to receive the VoE traffic. The add node can determined if the first drop node contains the drop port based on the first control signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides video transmission systems and methods with video data flows transmitted over a Carrier Ethernet Network at Layer 2 with redundancy in order to provide hitless protection switching and uninterrupted video service delivery, such as during periods of asymmetric congestion or hard network failures. In an exemplary embodiment, the video transmission systems and methods provide the redundancy in a manner similar to 1+1 linear protection with hit-less protection switching. In another exemplary embodiment, the video transmission systems and methods provide encapsulated video signals over Ethernet using standardized Carrier Ethernet frames with additional sequencing information. Optionally, the video transmission systems and methods may also include packet-based forward error correction information for additional resiliency.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides video transmission systems and methods with video data flows transmitted over a Carrier Ethernet Network at Layer 2 with redundancy in order to provide hitless protection switching and uninterrupted video service delivery, such as during periods of asymmetric congestion or hard network failures. In an exemplary embodiment, the video transmission systems and methods provide the redundancy in a manner similar to 1+1 linear protection with hit-less protection switching. In another exemplary embodiment, the video transmission systems and methods provide encapsulated video signals over Ethernet using standardized Carrier Ethernet frames with additional sequencing information. Optionally, the video transmission systems and methods may also include packet-based forward error correction information for additional resiliency.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for controlling the flow of video over Ethernet (VoE) traffic in a network are disclosed. The method can include originating the VoE traffic from an add node in the network. A first control signal can be received from a first drop node in the network containing a drop port configured to receive the VoE traffic. The add node can determined if the first drop node contains the drop port based on the first control signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides protection systems and methods for Ethernet ports. In particular, the present invention may provide a form of facility protection for any two facilities, located on any two cards. The facilities are provisioned as a protected pair and using automatic ITU-T Y.1731 control frames for control. In an exemplary embodiment, provisioning includes creation of an L2 protection service and associating it to a pair of facilities. One facility is identified as a working facility and the other as a protection facility. Under normal conditions (i.e., no facility fault), the working facility is in an active state and not conditioning while the protection facility is in a standby state and transmitting conditioning to subtending equipment. If a facility fault is detected at the working facility, then the working facility transmits condition Remote Fault (RF) and the protection facility removes it's transmit conditioning and becomes the active facility.

Abstract: A connection integrity monitor is provided wherein, for large switch fabrics (connection circuits), gate usage and power requirements are reduced by a value approaching 50% when compared to a previously disclosed connection integrity monitor. Rather than simultaneously monitoring the connectivity of all outputs of the switch fabric, thus completely duplicating the switch fabric, the connection integrity monitor monitors only one connection at a time. Therefore, redundancy is reduced from M to 1. The connection integrity monitor can be provisioned statically to monitor any one of the output connections or arranged so that all connections can be monitored, although not simultaneously.

Abstract: A circuit connection integrity monitor detecting and isolating connection faults in data path cards is disclosed. A connection integrity monitoring method and corresponding apparatus are applicable to selector and cross-connect circuits and permit a user to monitor all points where signal traffic may be prone to misconnection.