Abstract: Network devices, systems, and methods, including executable instructions and/or logic thereon to achieve fiber channel one for N (1:N) redundancy. A network device includes a processing resource coupled to a memory. The memory includes program instructions executed by the processing resource to group a number of switches in a 1:N cluster and provide each switch with a (virtual) A_Port link to all members of the 1:N cluster. If a failure of a fiber channel over ethernet forwarder (FCF) occurs, the program instructions execute to re-establish or redirect a connection over an alternate path through a redundant FCF without having to synchronize a connection state across all switches in the cluster.

Abstract: A passive optical network is provided which uses existing GPON OAM functionality and standard routing protocol messages to solve the downstream routing problem between an access service provider and one or more other communication provider networks.

Abstract: OSUs 1 to N are connected to a plurality of PON lines respectively. A control unit performs processing for registering a plurality of subscriber devices connected to the plurality of PON lines respectively and processing for allocating a bandwidth. In addition, the control unit switches an OSU while a state of registration of the plurality of subscriber devices is maintained, by changing a communication path between the plurality of PON lines and a plurality of OSUs 1 to N.

Abstract: This concerns a protected long-reach PON having a plurality of terminals connected to a distribution network that is fed by both a main and back up feed, each feed including a head end and a repeater. The back up head end had access to a ranging table with data previously obtained by the main head end, thereby speeding up the switch over in the event of a fault with the main feed. In one embodiment, the repeater has a virtual ONU therein, allowing the back up repeater to be ranged by the back up head end, thereby yet further speeding up the ranging procedure. The main and back up repeaters are sufficiently equidistant from the distribution network to allow the back up head to perform normal scheduling without performing a ranging operation on each of the terminals, even if the different terminals transmit at slightly different wavelengths. This is achieved using the ranging information obtained with regard to the back up repeater.

Abstract: A system for interconnecting one or more leaf nodes attached to the leaves of an optical distribution network (ODN), comprising: A first and a second optical distribution network respectively comprising a remote node for distributing signals from a central office and/or an optical line terminal to a plurality of leaf nodes connected to said optical distribution network; a link connecting a first leaf node connected to the first optical distribution network to a second leaf node connected to the second optical distribution network, wherein the remote node of the second optical distribution network is adapted to forward an optical signal from said second leaf node which has received the signal from said first leaf node to the other leaf nodes of said second optical distribution network.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a service protection method and device based on an automatic switched optical network (ASON), which are adapted to restoring a service when a fault occurs in the connection of the service. The method comprises: comparing a dynamic restoration lag time of the service with a protection switching lag time of the service; and starting a protection switching process to restore the service if the dynamic restoration lag time is greater than the protection switching lag time; and starting a dynamic re-routing process to restore the service if the protection switching lag time is greater than the dynamic restoration lag time. By the present invention, the reliability of the network is enhanced and the self-healing capacity of the ASON is improved.

Abstract: A method for realizing interaction of optical channel data unit (ODUk) protection tangent rings are provided. A node used for protection of the ODUk and a receiving unit, a sending unit, a protected receiving unit and a protected sending unit on the node are selected. A connection between a receiving service unit and the protected sending unit with the same transmission direction on the node is established, or a connection between a sending service unit and the protected receiving unit with the same transmission direction on the node is established. Two virtual nodes are established on the node if the node is an intersection node, and connections between the receiving service unit and the protected sending unit, and between the sending service unit and the protected receiving unit are established respectively in each direction of both directions through one of the virtual nodes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing signals in an optical network are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure a method for distributing signals in an optical network comprises combining input signals into one or more output signals, determining, an availability status of optical lanes for carrying the output signals and distributing the output signals to optical transmitters associated with the optical lanes if the availability status indicates that the optical lanes are available.

Abstract: Techniques for optimizing data transmission efficiency and accuracy in cellular network environments using remote radio headers are presented. In an aspect, a mobile device includes a collection component configured to collect fiber loss data from a plurality of remote radio devices in a cellular network. The fiber loss data can include data representative of data transmission loss over fibers respectively connecting the plurality of remote radio devices to a base station device. The mobile device further includes a selection component configured to select a remote radio device from the plurality of remote radio devices with which to access based in part on the fiber loss data.

Abstract: A system and method for data communication is provided. The system includes a first port, a transmission layer module and a signaling layer module. The transmission layer module supports a first priority and a second priority. The signaling layer module can route data between the first port and a second port and can route data between the first port and a third port. The signaling layer module supports alternate routing if one or both of the second port and the third port fail.

Abstract: An optical transport network comprises a first node and a second node adapted to communicate one or more lower order optical channel data unit (LO-ODU) traffic signals via a higher order optical channel data unit (HO-ODU) traffic signal. An adaptation function between a lower order optical channel data unit traffic signal and a higher order optical channel data unit traffic signal is modified to enable protocol information for bidirectional protection switching to be conveyed in one or more lower order optical channel data unit traffic signals that are conveyed between the first node and the second node using the higher order optical channel data unit traffic signal. This enables the protocol information to be used at a higher order optical channel data unit entity to perform bidirectional protection switching.

Abstract: An optical communication system, a method and a network device for an optical network are provided, wherein the device comprises a first port coupled with a first optical fiber link, a second port coupled with a second optical fiber link, the first port and the second port being configured to be coupled with respect to each other in case of a failure of the first optical fiber link or in case of a failure of the second optical fiber link

Abstract: Apparatus for enabling recovery from failures in up to M working paths of a set of N working paths that are allocated N frequency slots of L different slot widths, where M, N and L are positive integers, N?L>1, and N>M>1. The apparatus includes a processor and a control plane interface. The processor is operative to allocate protection frequency slots to M protection paths in different manners depending on whether M is greater than L, equal to L or less than L. The control plane interface is operatively associated with the processor and is operative to effect provisioning of the M protection paths for supporting recovery from the failures. Related network, apparatus and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A joint switching method for an aggregation node, an aggregation node, and an optical network protection system including an aggregation node are provided. By monitoring information transferred between an active optical line terminal (OLT) and a broadband network gateway (BNG), the aggregation node finds a fault in time according to the monitored information and when a fault occurs, the aggregation node starts a local protection solution, enables a corresponding backup port connected to a backup OLT corresponding to the active OLT, and disables an active port connected to the active OLT. Through the method, when the active OLT is switched to the backup OLT, the aggregation node performs joint switching, which ensures normal communication.

Abstract: An optical transceiver performs dual mode operations in an optical network. The dual mode operations include a single-fiber mode, in which a single fiber connecting the optical transceiver and another network node carries bi-directional optical signals, and a dual-fiber mode, in which two fibers connecting the optical transceiver and another network node carry respective uni-directional optical signals in opposite directions. A switching module coupled to the optical transceiver is set in accordance with a control signal such that a transmitter module transmits and a receiver module receives via a first optical connector receptacle to enable the single-fiber mode, or such that the transmitter module transmits via the first optical connector receptacle and the receiver module receives via a second optical connector receptacle to enable the dual-fiber mode.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for single-fiber bidirectional ring network protection are disclosed in the present invention, wherein, one working path ring between various nodes in the single-fiber bidirectional ring network shares one sharing protection channel using a set wavelength, and when a fault occurs in a working path between certain two nodes, the method includes: controlling sharing protection apparatuses of a receiving end node and a transmitting end node of the failed working path to switch from a primary port to a corresponding standby port, controlling an intermediate node in the sharing protection channel corresponding to the working path to enable a standby port of the corresponding sharing protection apparatus, and establishing the sharing protection channel corresponding to the working path; transmitting a service signal carried in the failed working path through the newly established sharing protection channel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, notifications of upcoming maintenance activities are provided by network devices, such as to allow packet switching or other optical layer client devices to reroute traffic prior to the occurrence of the traffic affecting event. For example, one such network device includes optical interfaces for coupling with fibers for transporting information using dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM); DWDM switching equipment for cross-connecting wavelengths of the fibers; and a controller configured to inform packet switching or other optical layer client devices whose traffic would be affected by an upcoming event that would disrupt communication on one or more wavelengths on one or more fibers so that the packet switching or other optical layer client devices can reroute traffic that would otherwise go over said one or more wavelengths onto a different path in a network prior to said disruption.

Abstract: A transmission device includes an optical amplifier to amplify an optical main signal to be transmitted on an optical transmission path; a first controller to stop output of the optical amplifier and output of an optical monitor signal to be transmitted on the optical transmission path when a failure of the optical transmission path is detected; a second controller to be switched from the first controller and to operate and stop the output of the optical amplifier and the output of the optical monitor signal when the failure of the optical transmission path is detected; an optical monitor signal transceiver to transmit and receive the optical monitor signal including control information; and a switch to switch an operation from the first controller to the second controller, based on information of the failure of the optical transmission path based on the states of transmission and reception of the optical monitor signal.

Abstract: Terminals of upstream and downstream sides of an in-service line and a detour line are connected by optical couplers. An optical oscilloscope is connected to one optical coupler, and a chirped pulse light source is connected to the other optical coupler to thereby form dualized lines. The detour line includes an optical line length adjuster for compensating for the phase difference of optical transmission signals that occurs because of the optical line length difference with the in-service line. Pulse light in which an optical frequency is chirped is transmitted from the chirped pulse light source. The pulse light is branched by the second optical coupler, passes through the in-service line and the detour line, is multiplexed again by the first optical coupler, and is measured by the optical oscilloscope.

Abstract: N optical transceivers are each connected to a respective electronic module in one-to-one relation such that a respective one electronic module controls a respective one optical transceiver. An electronic switch matrix provides cross-connect capability between the P redundant electronic modules and N electronic modules to the N optical transceivers. A system controller determines when an active N electronic module has failed, and configures the electronic switch matrix to switch a P redundant electronic module into the optical transceiver to which the failed electronic module was connected. A system switch module redirects traffic and routing information, under the direction of the system controller, from the failed module to the newly activated redundant module so that the redundant module assumes the functionality of the failed module.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a network element comprising a first card configured to receive a duplicatively split first signal comprising a data component and a management component, and further configured to receive and transmit a duplicatively split second signal, and a similar second card. The network element also includes a selector configured to select either the first card or the second card to receive the management component of the first signal and to detect a change in designation between the first card and the second card to transmit the second signal. The selector is also configured to modify the selection to select the card designated to transmit the second signal to also receive the management component of the first signal. The disclosure also includes associated methods and systems.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for operating for operating an optical network including a shared laser array are disclosed. An example apparatus includes include a first plurality of N lasers. Each laser of the first plurality of N lasers is configured to output a respective optical seed signal having a respective wavelength. The example apparatus further includes a first optical coupler coupled with the first plurality of N lasers. In the example embodiment, the first optical coupler is configured to multiplex the respective optical seed signals of the first plurality of N lasers onto a plurality of N optical fibers. In this example, each optical fiber of first plurality of N optical fibers transmits each of the respective optical seed signals produced by the plurality of N lasers to a respective distribution node for distribution to N respective optical network units, where the optical network units use the optical seed signals to seed respective optical transmitters located at the N optical network units.

Abstract: An optical communications system includes a MSAP and an optical transceiver mounted at the MSAP that communicates over an optical network to at least one optical network terminal (ONT). A first electronic module is operatively connected to the optical transceiver and configured to control the optical transceiver and mounted at the MSAP separate from the optical transceiver. A redundant second electronic module is supported within the MSAP and mounted separate from the optical transceiver. A Mux/Demux module interconnects and supports the first and second electronic modules to form an integral unit and mounted at the MSAP separate from the optical transceiver. The Mux/Demux module is configured to switch the second electronic module into communication with the optical transceiver upon failure of the first electronic module.

Abstract: A procedure for recovering a communication network, and a system, apparatus, and computer program that operate in accordance with the procedure. The procedure comprises aggregating network related information. A determination is made, based on the network related information, of whether one or more predetermined failure thresholds have been exceeded, to generate a determining result. The one or more predetermined failure thresholds are based, at least in part, on an aggregation of a predetermined number of failures. A re-provisioning algorithm is executed to re-provision one or more portions of the communication network based on at least one of the network related information and the determining result.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that provide a distributed restoration signaling protocol for shared mesh restoration with standbys for transparent optical networks.

Abstract: The method of placing regenerators along a trail connecting a source network node with a destination network node of an automatically switched optical network first identifies N tentative regeneration sites and n+1 optical paths along the trail. Wavelengths are assigned to each optical path, and the performance of the trail is assessed based on regenerator placement data and wavelength assignment data.

Abstract: A passive optical network (100) with immediate fault protection comprises an optical line termination (OLT) (11), an optical distribution network communicating with the OLT (11), the optical distribution network comprising a splitter (13) connected to the OLT (11) through a feed fiber (15) for separating and distributing optical signals from the OLT (11), a plurality of optical network units (ONUs) (17) each connected to the splitter (13) through a distribution fiber (19), and characterized in that each ONU (17) is equipped with a wireless router (21) communicating with its adjacent wireless routers (21) to form a mesh-like wireless network, whereby when failure has occurred in any distribution fiber (19) connected to the ONUs (17), the wireless router (21) of the disabled ONU (17) connected to the fiber (19) automatically searches and receives bandwidth from the nearest wireless router (21) of the ONU (17) connected to the functioning fiber (19) or wireless router (21) of disabled ONU (17) through the mesh-l

Abstract: An optical communication system includes an optical transmission terminal including a first transmitter for transmitting an optical signal, and a second transmitter for transmitting information that indicates the first transmitter transmitting the optical signal; and an optical receiving terminal including an optical receiver for receiving the optical signal and the information transmitted from the first and second transmitter, respectively, a storage device for storing a power value of the optical signal monitored in response to receipt of the information transmitted from the second transmitter, and a fault detector for detecting fault of the optical signal by continuously monitoring a power value of the optical signal received by the optical receiver in comparison with the power value stored in the storage device.

Abstract: In an OTN (Optical Transport Network), an OTN interface of a network element may receive a BDI (Backwards Defect Indicator) signal from a far end network element to which OTN frames are being transmitted. A BDI signal indicates the occurrence of a unidirectional failure in the transmission of OTN frames to which the far end network element responds by switching its routing to the network element. The OTN interface generates an AIS (Alarm Indication Signal) for its network element so that the network element switches network communication channels to the far end network element to ensure bidirectional switching upon a unidirectional failure.

Abstract: A manner of protecting communications in a PON (passive optical network). A switch array is provided in a CO (central office) and placed in communication with a number of primary OLTs, which each can thereby communicate with a respective feeder fiber when the associated switch of the switch array is in a first state. When the switch is placed in a second state, the feeder fiber instead communicates with a protection OLT. In some embodiments each switch communicates with the OLT more or less directly, while in others the protection OLT is in communication with a first switch of the switch array and the others communicate with the OLT via the first switch and possibly other intervening switches. The switches of the switch array may also be connected to redundant feeder fibers for additional protection. A system controller may be used to detect the need for protection and to control switch states accordingly to provide it.

Abstract: A method for generating a frame signal includes monitoring a first frame signal and obtaining a first parameter based on the monitoring result; setting a second parameter based on the type of the first frame signal; when the first frame signal is being input, generating a second frame signal with a bit rate different from that of the first frame signal by determining data and stuff byte positions based on the first parameter and performing frame processing on data and stuff bytes corresponding to the first frame signal based on the determined data and stuff byte positions; and when the first frame signal is not being input, generating the second frame signal by determining the data and stuff byte positions based on the second parameter and performing the frame processing on data and stuff bytes corresponding to a maintenance signal based on the determined data and stuff byte positions.

Abstract: A multilayer communications network system for distributing multicast services and a method for such a distribution The system comprises a switched optical transport network layer, such as a WSON, and an electronic packet switched network layer, such as a IP/MPLS, where the switched optical transport network layer transports multicast flows services and the electronic packet switched network layer is a backup layer of a dynamic restoration mechanism for recovery against one or more failures occurring in the switched optical transport network layer. The method comprises transporting multicast flows services through the switched optical transport network layer, and performing a recovery against one or more failures occurring in the switched optical transport network layer by means of a dynamic restoring carried out by using said electronic packet switched network layer as a backup layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for detecting and excluding a failed optical network termination (ONT) in a passive optical network (PON) system in which an Optical Line Termination (OLT) is connected to a plurality of optical network terminations (ONTs) by an optical passive device. The method for detecting and excluding a failed ONT includes receiving, by the OLT, an optical power level of the ONTs, comparing the received optical power level with a reference value, if the received optical power level does not exceed the reference value, determining that a failed ONT has occurred, and detecting and excluding the failed ONT.

Abstract: A visible light communication (VLC) device is provided for use in a VLC system. The VLC device detect a trigger condition indicating a failure of a VLC link associated with first allocated resources used to communicate with a second VLC device. In response to the detection, the VLC device terminates on the first allocated resources transmission of data to the second VLC device and transmits a fast link recovery (FLR) signal using the first allocated resources. The VLC device receives a fast link recovery response (FLR RSP) signal indicating the second VLC device received the FLR signal and, in response, the VLC device resumes transmission of data to the second VLC device.

Abstract: A method and system for protecting integrated optoelectronic devices are disclosed. The method includes (1) providing standby light source links of fixed wavelength and their corresponding standby data channel in a transmitting-end integrated optoelectronic device; (2) detecting whether there is failure in each active light source link in the transmitting-end integrated optoelectronic device; and (3) selecting a standby light source link having a fixed wavelength and its corresponding standby data channel for accomplishing service transmission of failed active light source link and its corresponding active data channel when detecting failure of an active light source link. The system includes a transmitting-end integrated optoelectronic device and a receiving-end integrated optoelectronic device.

Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexing (WDM)-time division multiplexing (TDM) passive optical network (PON) remote terminal (RT) is provided. The wavelength division multiplexing (WDM)-time division multiplexing (TDM) passive optical network (PON) remote terminal (RT), includes: a WDM-TDM converter configured to convert a WDM downstream optical signal that is received from a central office terminal (COT) into a TDM downstream optical signal or to convert a TDM upstream optical signal that is received from an optical network terminal (ONT) into a WDM upstream optical signal; an error detector configured to detect an error; and a controller configured to, in response to an error being detected, transmit the WDM upstream optical signal to the COT via a first standby link or transmit the TDM downstream optical signal to the ONT via a second standby link.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generic non-client specific 1+1 protection are described supporting a uni-directional protection scheme for client interfaces on Optical Transport Network (OTN) networking equipment, regardless of the client protocol and without hardware which can participate in those client protocols. This generic non-client specific 1+1 protection can be implemented in an OTN node, an OTN switching device, or via an OTN method. Faults on client signals are escalated to, and processed at, the ODU path layer instead of the client protocol layer, providing a normalized mechanism for client signal protection.

Abstract: A protected passive optical communications system includes terminals, a main head end, and a back up head end allowing communication with the terminals when a fault occurs. The main and back up head ends transmit frames that include header and payload portions to the terminals. The main head end normally transmits control instructions in the header and user data in the payload. The back up head end, in response to a fault, transmits control instructions in the payload, and a control message in the header. The control message indicates control instructions in the payload. If a control message is in the header, each terminal interprets the payload as control instructions for changing operational attribute(s) of a terminal. If a control message is not in the header, each terminal interprets the payload as user data that it forwards to external user(s) external based on an address from the user data.

Abstract: An apparatus searches for one or more first routes coupling starting and ending point nodes in a communication network including an asymmetry node, based on topology information indicating a connection relationship between nodes on the communication network. The apparatus determines, for each of the one or more first routes, whether or not signals are transmittable between the starting and ending point nodes under path restriction imposed on the asymmetry node, based on asymmetry-node information indicating the path restriction imposed on the asymmetry node. The apparatus determines a second route that has a minimum sum of link costs among one or more third routes for which it is determined that signals are transmittable between the starting and ending point nodes under the path restriction imposed on the asymmetry node, based on cost information storing a link cost of a link connecting each pair of adjacent nodes on the communication network.

Abstract: An optical transmission device includes: a switching configured to be capable of switching a transmission path to which light is input from a first transmission path to a second transmission path; a first calculation unit configured to calculate, based on a difference between a first light level of the first transmission path and a second light level of the second transmission path, a first control amount for the second light level; and a control unit configured to perform a first control in which the second light level is decreased or increased based on the first control amount upon switching of the transmission path.

Abstract: Network devices, systems, and methods, including executable instructions and/or logic thereon to achieve fiber channel one for N (1:N) redundancy. A network device includes a processing resource coupled to a memory. The memory includes program instructions executed by the processing resource to group a number of switches in a 1:N cluster and provide each switch with a (virtual) A_Port link to all members of the 1:N cluster. If a failure of a fiber channel over ethernet forwarder (FCF) occurs, the program instructions execute to re-establish or redirect a connection over an alternate path through a redundant FCF without having to synchronize a connection state across all switches in the cluster.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a control plane across multiple optical network domains is described. In one example, topology and resource discovery is employed in a transport network having a plurality of control domains. Topology information for each of the control domains is summarized to produce summarized topology information. The summarized topology information for each of the control domains is exchanged among the control domains. At each of the control domains, the summarized topology information of each of the control domains is combined to produce combined topology information. The combined topology information is passed among network elements within each of the control domains using an intra-domain routing protocol.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and systems for the hierarchical mesh restoration of connections in an ASON or the like. These methods and systems provide a mesh restorable OTN server layer that carries an aggregate of mesh restorable SONET/SDH SNCs, without designating SONET/SDH/OTN hand-off ports or work/protect lines. Server layer SNCs are terminated on Virtual Trail Termination Points (VTTPs) on the NEs. These VTTPs maintain all of the attributes of physical Trail Termination Points (TTPs). The server routing protocol creates physical TTP interfaces at the server layer, and the server layer advertises bandwidth to the client layer routing protocol. A failure in the server layer results in the mesh restoration of an aggregate line, holding off the release of the individual client SNCs. Only when the server layer cannot restore are these individual client SNCs released.

Abstract: A multiple conductor optical cable may be coupled to an undersea device, such as a cable joint, branching unit, or repeater, with one or more isolated bypass conductive paths being provided across the undersea device. At least one conductor may be terminated within a housing of the undersea device and at least one conductor may be coupled to a conductive bridge member that provides the isolated bypass conductive path across the device. Multiple conductor optical cables may be coupled to undersea devices in optical networks using independent power paths, for example, to deliver power to different powered components at different voltage potentials.

Abstract: A multi-path provisioning scheme is provided to ensure full protection while reducing or minimizing resource overbuild. A signal to be provisioned is divided at a source node into a plurality of sub-signals that are independently routed from the source node to a destination node. Bandwidth for back-up traffic B is allocated in addition to bandwidth for primary traffic T. In some embodiments, the initial bandwidth B of the backup traffic equals the bandwidth of the primary traffic. The T+B traffic is initially distributed so that no link carries more than B traffic. The traffic distribution pattern is then iteratively revised to reduce the bandwidth requirements for the backup traffic while still meeting requirements for protection.

Abstract: An optical splitter for a passive optical network for telecommunication signal transmission with an optical line terminal includes a wavelength selective optical electrical converter, an AC/DC splitter, an energy reservoir and optical switches, where the splitter comprises also a data transmission processing module by which the optical switches can be controlled according to data signals transmitted from the optical line terminal.

Abstract: Delivering multicast data traffic over a communication network includes a first network node delivering multicast data traffic to second network nodes. The first and second network nodes are connected by a transmission network in a ring architecture and implement a point-to-multipoint layer 2 protocol. A method includes at the first network node: collecting alarms signals indicative of a failure along the whole ring and of the second network nodes. Based on a current state of the alarm signals, delivering the multicast data traffic either in a first delivery direction along the ring, or in a second delivery direction along the ring opposite to the first delivery direction, or in both the first and second delivery directions. At each of the second network nodes: collecting alarm signals indicative of a failure of the transmission network locally to the second network node and of the second network node.

Abstract: A method may include communicatively coupling a first network element to a second network element via a first link of a multi-chassis link aggregation group, communicatively coupling the first network element to a third network element via a second link of the multi-chassis link aggregation group, communicatively coupling the second network element to a fourth network element via a first path of a point-to-point network, and communicatively coupling the third network element to the fourth network element via a second path of the point-to-point network. The method may also include configuring the first path and the second path as paths of a linear protected switching connection such that traffic associated with a service and communicated between the first network element and the fourth network element via the first link and the first path may be switched over to the second link and the second path in response to an event.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides hybrid packet-optical private network systems and methods for a private and dedicated multi-point Ethernet Private Local Area Network (EPLAN). The network systems and methods include a Layer 1 infrastructure service with the inclusion of reserved, dedicated packet switch capacity upon which clients can build their personal, private packet networks. In the systems and methods described herein, packet networking methods are not used to partition the isolated LAN connectivity. Instead, dedicated Ethernet Private LANs (EPLs) are defined between dedicated virtual switching instances (VSIs) that are defined, as necessary, within larger packet-optical switches. Each VSI is partitioned from the remainder of its packet switch fabric as a dedicated, private resource for a specific EPLAN. A packet network is then built by the customer on top of the private EPLAN bandwidth and operated as an isolated, private network with no influence by other carrier's network resources.

Abstract: A first network element is coupled to a second network element via a first path of a first point-to-point network, the first network element is coupled to a third network element via a second path of the first-point-to-point network, the second network element is coupled to a fourth network element via a first path of a second point-to-point network, and the third network element is coupled to the fourth network element via a second path of the second point-to-point network. The paths of the first point-to-point network are configured as paths of a first linear protected switching connection and the paths of the second point-to-point network are configured as paths of a second linear protected switching connection such that traffic communicated between the first network element and the fourth network element via the first paths may be switched over to the second paths.