Abstract: A SONET/SDH mesh network architecture is disclosed that restores quickly after the failure of a network element and can be administered and maintained, for most purposes, as a collection of distinct ring networks. The SONET/SDH mesh network is fabricated from a plurality of “interlocking” ring networks. By fabricating a mesh network as a plurality of interlocking ring networks, a protected service can be restored in the event of a failure in a distributed, timely, and efficient manner. The illustrative embodiment comprises: a first SONET/SDH ring; a second SONET/SDH ring; and a node that monitors the status of an automatic protection switching channel in the first SONET/SDH ring and that affects the routing of traffic in the second SONET/SDH ring based on the status of an automatic protection switching channel in the first SONET/SDH ring.

Abstract: A mesh network architecture is disclosed whose protected services can be restored quickly after the failure of a network element (i.e., a network node, a network transmission facility). Furthermore, the protected services can be restored after all single and most multiple network-element failures as quickly as a ring network can recover from a single network-element failure. And still furthermore, the illustrative embodiment is also advantageous in that it can be administered and maintained, for most purposes, as a collection of distinct ring networks. Embodiments of the present invention can use any protocol or transmission technology (e.g., wavelength division multiplexing, SONET/SDH, ATM, etc.). Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention distinguish between the transport function, the provisioning function, and the fault notification functions of a network and provide that each of the functions can be accomplished by different networks using different protocols.

Abstract: A facility is provided for enhancing an operations support system so that, based on data generated as a result of an event occurring in an associated telecommunications network, the operations support system can predict the likelihood of the event occurring again in the network.