Abstract: Squelch identifiers for re-routing a broken path through interconnected network elements of a communication network incorporating BLSR protection are allocated by a method comprising: determining chain links between network elements; setting attributes (begin, middle, end) corresponding to the chain links; building chains by joining chain links together; matching pairs of chains connecting network elements at the ends of chains; and allocating squelch identifiers to those network elements interconnected by matching pairs of chains. Each chain link represents two termination points and an intermediate subnetwork connection. The step of building chains comprises joining chain links having matching termination points. The step of matching pairs of chains comprises searching for chains interconnecting the same two network elements but pointing in opposite directions.

Abstract: Physical topology for a network can be predicted using information related to the logical connections within the network. The technique includes receiving logical connection information associated with ports within nodes of the network, preparing the logical connection information such that it is easier to determine which ports are logically similar, and predicting physical connections between ports by finding, for each port within the network, at least one other port that is logically similar. In some cases, other techniques for discovering the physical connections within a network are utilized such as auto-discovery.

Abstract: In a management system of a communications network comprising a plurality of network elements, capacity and capability of one or more individual network elements is represented by a set of data templates. A first set of data templates represent internal construction and physical resources of a network element. A second set of templates represent connectivity capabilities of the physical resources. The data templates are stored at an element controller, controlling a plurality of network elements. The element controller learns about the capacity and capabilities of the network elements, by receiving a set of reference messages generated by the network elements, over an operations, administration and maintenance channel. The reference messages point to the data templates stored at the element controller thereby enabling efficient enrollment of network elements by transmission of compressed messages over the operations, administration and maintenance channel.