Abstract: An optical transmission apparatus connected to an optical ring network stores identification information of an optical transmission apparatus as a communication partner predetermined on a communication path. Each optical transmission apparatus includes self identification information in header information of an optical signal having a working wavelength used in normal operation, and transmits the optical signal to one of the two optical ring networks transferring optical signals in mutually opposite directions. The optical transmission apparatus determines whether the identification information included in the header information of the received optical signal having the working wavelength matches pre-stored identification information. The optical transmission apparatus thus detects a fault that occurs by the communication path.

Abstract: An optical ring network architecture including a number (N) of multi-add/drop filters, such as filters formed using symmetrical pairs of frequency routers. Each multi-add/drop filter is coupled to two other multi-add/drop filters. using N?2 transmission media, such as optical fibers, to form a ring. The network also includes a number (N) of terminal stations associated with the multi-add/drop filters. A terminal station (p) is coupled with, and receives information from, its associated multi-add/drop filter (p) through a single optical fiber. In addition, the terminal station p is coupled with, and transmits information in a first direction around the ring to, a multi-add/drop filter p+1 through a single optical fiber. Communications from terminal station p to each other terminal station in the first direction are assigned one of N?1 wavelengths such that no two wavelengths on a given optical fiber are associated with communications between terminal stations in the same direction.

Abstract: Multiplex-demultiplex (mux/demux) “groups” multiplex and demultiplex a predetermined maximum number of optical wavelengths. A method for assigning wavelengths of fiber links and mux/demux groups to given traffic (or traffic segments) in an optical communications network, minimizes over all terminals a total number of mux/demux groups required. The method (FIG. 5) involves (510) sorting the terminals in order of size of load. Further, for each traffic segment between pairs of first and second terminals, the method involves (516) assigning a smallest wavelength that is available between the first and second terminals and that is available on the segment path between the terminals; and in the terminals, (518) deploying mux/demux groups supporting the assigned wavelengths. A modified method (FIGS. 6A, 6B), as well as a method for dynamically assigning and deploying newly arriving traffic segments (FIG. 7), are also provided.

Abstract: An optical system with a first and second network tiers. The first network tier includes a plurality of major nodes optically interconnected by at least one transmission path. The second network tier includes a plurality of minor nodes disposed along the transmission path and the minor nodes are connected to at least one of the major nodes. The minor node is configured to transmit all traffic to an adjacent major node, and the major nodes are configured to transmit to and receive information from other major nodes and minor nodes on transmission paths connected to the major node.

Abstract: A circuit structure for a transmission network node for transmitting high bit-rate, IP-based time division-multiplexed signals, especially for an optical Multi-Gigabit Ethernet. The structure includes a bidirectional remote ports at two sides, each receiving and transmitting time-division multiplexed signals. Each time division-multiplexed signal has a frame structure with a number of virtual time slots each transporting certain contents. The path-switch unit is constructed to execute switching functions for realizing a drop function, a pass-through function, and a drop-and-continue function. Channel cards and network structures are also provided.

Abstract: An appropriate ring topology is selected by searching network topology information on the basis of given information about client signal paths on a predetermined condition, and a wavelength ring accommodating the client signal paths and having an optimal transmission characteristic is designed on the basis of the selected ring topology. Accordingly, accommodation of client signal paths in an optical network is efficiently designed.

Abstract: An optical network system is disclosed by which flexible wavelength path setting can be performed in accordance with tree-shaped and star-shaped network topology. A central node includes a multiplexing section for multiplexing optical signals transmitted from user nodes and inputted thereto, and a central node side branching section for branching the optical signal multiplexed by the multiplexing section and supplying the branched optical signals to the user nodes. Each of the user nodes includes a transmission section capable of outputting an optical signal to which transmission wavelengths different from those of the other user nodes are set, and a reception section for extracting selected optical wavelength components from the branched light supplied thereto from the central node side branching section and extracting optical signals from the extracted optical wavelength components.

Abstract: An optical amplifier with optical gain-control (OGC) has an input (11) for the signals to be amplified and an output (12) for the amplified signals. It comprises in series a first Bragg grating (BG) (15), a variable optical attenuator (VOA) (17), an optical amplification unit with pump (13) and a second Bragg grating (BG) (14). The two gratings define between them a laser cavity with the amplification unit (13) in the middle and the signals to be amplified are placed at the input of the amplification unit (13) with a splitter (16) at the input of the amplification unit. A network with nodes comprising said amplifiers is also described.

Abstract: An optical ring network has one or more working wavelengths and multiple protection wavelengths adapted to support the working wavelength(s). Routing tables may be used in network nodes to assign traffic of a failed working wavelength to a protection wavelength. The protection technique may be applied to networks employing, for example, Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM).

Abstract: Methods and systems for using a wavelength as an address in an optical network are disclosed. In particular, methods for selecting a wavelength for a particular node in an optical network, resolving a wavelength for a destination node in an optical network from a network address, and receiving and transmitting data packets at particular wavelengths are disclosed. A resulting system implementing such methods may significantly reduce space, weight and power measurements while transferring data at high rates for a data network.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an optical network includes communicating optical traffic along a working path of an optical network. The optical network comprises a protection path for the optical traffic to communicate the optical traffic upon a failure in the working path. The protection path comprises two or more network elements coupled together by optical lines. The method also includes monitoring an idle signal of the protection path to detect an error in the protection path comprising an error in a component of one or more of the network elements.

Abstract: A radio base station has a baseband unit (BB) and multiple RF heads (RH1, RH2), which are interconnected by means of a bi-directional two-fiber optical ring (R). Each RF head (RH1, RH2) has a delay counter (31) for determining a propagation delay (tL) on the ring (R) and a variable delay circuit (16, 26) for compensating a difference between the propagation delay on the ring and a predefined target delay (tRR). The delay counter counts (31) the delay between a test signal sent on the first fiber (F1) of the ring to the baseband unit and a received test signal looped back by the baseband unit on the second fiber (F2) of the ring.

Abstract: A communication system between head-ends and end-users is provided which expands bandwidth and reliability. A concentrator receives communication signals from a head-end and forwards the received communication signals to one or more fiber nodes and/or one or more mini-fiber nodes. The concentrator demultiplexes/splits received signals for the mini-fiber nodes and the fiber nodes and forwards demultiplexed/split signals respectively. The mini-fiber nodes may combine signals received from the head-end with loop-back signals used for local medium access control prior to forwarding the signals to the end-users. Upstream data are received by the mini-fiber nodes and/or fiber node and transmitted to the concentrator. The concentrator multiplexes/couples the mini-fiber node and the fiber node upstream signals and forwards multiplexed/coupled signals to the head-end.

Abstract: A node within a network comprising a transport layer protocol for multicasting datagrams on a virtual ring. Each node on the virtual ring is logically connected to two neighbour nodes through virtual connections. A virtual ring datagram is sent to a downstream neighbour node on the virtual ring and a token is received. The virtual ring is identified and the token is forwarded to the downstream neighbour node. If the received datagram is a virtual ring datagram, the virtual ring is identified and the node originator of the received virtual ring datagram is checked. If the received virtual ring datagram has not been locally originated, data in the virtual ring datagram is processed and the virtual ring datagram is forwarded to the downstream neighbour node on the virtual ring. If the received virtual ring datagram has been locally originated, the virtual ring datagram is removed from the virtual ring.

Abstract: To provide a node (an optical transmission apparatus) enabling expanding the upper limit of the number of nodes capable of automatically forming a squelch table generated in advance in a BLSR system. For the above purpose, when generating a squelch table, hop counts counted from an add node or a drop node are used in place of a node ID of the own, as information of the add node, the drop node, etc. to be transmitted and received using a squelch data link. Thus, it becomes unnecessary to transmit and receive two information sets, a source node ID and a destination node ID, as conventionally required. By this, the number of bits available for identifying nodes can be expanded, enabling expansion of the number of nodes for which a squelch table can be formed automatically.

Abstract: A technique for allocating protection-switching mechanisms operates on a per wavelength basis. This allows a designer of an optical network to select a particular protection switching mechanism for a given traffic type, which is usually specific to a particular wavelength in an optical network. For another traffic type, the designer can allocate a different protection switching mechanism, thereby providing optimal protection switching for each traffic type.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for generating a hitless migration plan to optimal state, given an optimal routing and wavelength assignment for demands. For example, a technique for use in performing a circuit transition in accordance with an optical ring-based network comprises obtaining a first (e.g., initial) circuit layout and a second (e.g., final) circuit layout for a given set of demands to be routed on the optical ring-based network. The technique then comprises calculating a transition sequence plan useable to transition the network from the first circuit layout to the second circuit layout such that substantially no network service disruption occurs due to the circuit transition. The transition sequence plan is calculated by determining a minimum set of circuits that when moved from first positions in the first circuit layout result in a feasible transition sequence for remaining circuits in the first circuit layout.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the networking of a large number of endpoints using a high bandwidth optical backbone. The large number of endpoints, which may be thousands or more in number, connect through a local access telecommunications networks to points of presence. From each point of presence, the connection with the endpoints are routed directly to an optical node, which provides access to and from the high bandwidth optical backbone. No intermediate network layer is employed between the point of presence and the optical node, thereby reducing network complexity, increasing network stability, and eliminating limitations on bandwidth available to the endpoints imposed by an intermediate network layer and communications protocols employed therein.

Abstract: A communication network comprising first and second communication paths, and nodes coupled therethrough. Each node comprises first and second switches, each having a first terminal coupled to an end of a first communication path, and a second terminal coupled to an end of a second communication path. Third terminals of the first and second switches are coupled together through at least one third communication path. A Wavelength-Division-Multiplexed device of the node is coupled to an external communication node and a fourth terminal of each switch. A node controller responds to an applied input by controlling at least one switch to cause selective coupling of at least one of (a) first and second nodes together via at least one of the paths, and (b) the external communication node and at least one of the first and second nodes via at least one of the paths.

Abstract: Optical communication networks having multiple interconnected optical rings and optical protection switching mechanism to reduce communication delays and improve optical signal-to-noise ratios. Optical ring networks using variable optical attenuators for protection switching are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides a unified optical network architecture for metro and access communication networks, wherein a metro ring network interfaces access PONs through one or more reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexers to provide wavelength-reconfigurable all-optical transmission of communication signals from the metro ring network to designated optical network units associated with the end-users, and wherein one metro hub located in the metro ring network is utilized to set transmission wavelengths and timing for both downstream and upstream signal transmission for multiple access PONs.

Abstract: A new architecture capable of utilizing the existing twisted pair interface between customer premises equipment and an associated serving local switching office is used to provide a vast array of new services to customers. Using an intelligent services director (ISD) at the customer services equipment as an interface for the equipment to an existing twisted cable pair and a facilities management platform (FMP) at the serving local switching office as an interface to various networks and service opportunities, new services such as simultaneous, multiple calls (voice analog or digital), facsimile, Internet traffic and other data can be transmitted and received over the twisted cable pair by using digital subscriber loop transmission schemes. The new services include but are not limited to videophone, utility meter reading and monitoring, broadcasting and multicasting.

Abstract: Optical node (1) comprising at least one input port (PA, PC, PE) and a plurality of output ports (PB, PD, PF), at least one add unit (3B, 3D, 3F) for adding at least one signal on an output port (PB, PD, PF), a broadcasting unit (8) for broadcasting on at least two output ports (PB, PD, PF) the express traffic received on an input port (PA, PC, PE), characterized in that the broadcasting unit (8) is configured for broadcasting at least one added signal on at least two output ports (PB, PD, PF).

Abstract: An automated optical transport system is provided which provides for automatic discovery of system components, automatic inventory of system components, automatic topology detection, automatic provisioning of channels, and automatic characterization and tuning of system components and fiber. The invention provides automation capability through inclusion of management card capabilities at each station which communicates through a reverse propagating service channel. Dynamic and propagation direction independent segments are provided in conjunction with a token-based scheme to repeatedly tune, update and monitor the transport system.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for designing optical transmission systems that efficiently compute cost-optimal configurations under one or more constraints. For example, in one aspect of the present invention, a technique for designing an optical transmission system comprises the following steps/operations. A set of one or more demands and a set of optical transmission system elements are obtained. Elements may be consecutively coupled via a span. At least one constraint on the design of the optical transmission system is obtained.

Abstract: A method and system includes at least one interconnect hub, connecting the at least one interconnect hub to a plurality of audio connection devices to form a network of audio connection devices with the interconnect hub at the center of the ring. The audio connection devices are connected to each other through the at least one interconnect hub, and data is synchronously transmitted between at least two of the audio connection devices through the at least one interconnect hub.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically allocating sub-carriers between the nodes of an optical OFDMA ring network or an OFDMA passive optical network. A carrier allocation system assigns sub-carriers according to a utility function based on real-time measurements of arrival data rates and queue length variance.

Abstract: A ring optical transmission network access node (ANi) comprises: two identical band splitters (BSa, BSb), each provided with homologous first, second and third ports (Ba, BWa, BPa; Bb, BWb, BPb), a first coupler (CW) coupling the second port (BWb) of the second splitter (BSb), on the one hand, to the second port (BWa) of the first splitter (BSa) via a first channel and, on the other hand, to an access point (A2) via a second channel, a second coupler (CP) coupling the third port (BPa) of the first splitter (BSa), on the one hand, to the third port (BPb) of the second band splitter (BSb) via a first channel and, on the other hand, to another access point (A1) via a second channel. Such nodes enable the implementation of a passive ring network comprising only one fiber and in which the coupling ratios of the couplers (CW, CP) are optimized for two opposite traffic propagation directions. Application in particular to optical fiber metropolitan access networks, with broken fiber protection device.

Abstract: The present invention includes method and apparatus for converting optical signals to MWOF signals for transmission to wireless data, audio and/or video terminals in the W-band. Advantageously, there is no need to maintain expensive and complex remote stations because a centralized station performs all the complex processing.

Abstract: Optical communication networks often incorporate fiber rings or fiber mesh topologies for interconnecting its nodes. Both of these topologies can contain closed optical loops at one or more wavelengths within the optical spectrum. In amplified optical systems, the inherent loss of these optical loops is counteracted by the amplifier gain. Thus, the optical loop may have a net loss that is too low to prevent excessive noise buildup resulting in a lasing fiber loop. The noise that builds up within such amplified systems is dominated by the Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) noise resulting in ASE loops. Such loops can have a serious impact on all wavelengths carried by the fiber and lead to a partial or complete loss of end to end communication due to a severe degradation in signal to noise ratio. This invention provides an effective method and system for avoiding ASE loops in optical communication networks.

Abstract: An optical network includes an optical ring that is capable of transmitting, between two or more nodes, a plurality of working traffic streams that include traffic transmitted in one of a plurality of wavelengths. A node is capable of transmitting, in a first wavelength, a first protection traffic stream associated with a first working traffic stream, in response to an interruption of the first working traffic stream. A node is also capable of transmitting, in a second wavelength, a second protection traffic stream associated with a second working traffic stream, in response to an interruption of the second working traffic stream. The optical network also includes a regeneration element capable of selectively regenerating the first protection traffic stream. The regeneration element is also capable of tuning the regeneration element to receive traffic in the second wavelength and of selectively regenerating the second protection traffic stream.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for switching Fiber Channel Arbitrated Loop Systems is provided between a plurality of Fiber Channel Loop devices. In one aspect of the invention, the system switches based at least in part on arbitrated loop primitives. An exemplary interconnect system may include a first port and a second port, both including port logic to monitor certain arbitrated loop primitives, a connectivity apparatus, a route determination apparatus including a routing table consisting of ALPA addresses and their associated ports, the route determination apparatus coupled to each port and the connectivity apparatus, where the connectivity apparatus creates paths between the ports based on arbitrated loop primitives. In one embodiment, the connectivity apparatus is a crossbar switch. Examples of the arbitrated loop primitives that cause the switch to create paths between ports includes one or more of the following: ARB, OPN and CLS.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for generating a hitless migration plan to optimal state, given an optimal routing and wavelength assignment for demands. For example, a technique for use in performing a circuit transition in accordance with an optical ring-based network comprises the following steps/operations. First, a first (e.g., initial) circuit layout and a second (e.g., final) circuit layout for a given set of demands to be routed on the optical ring-based network are obtained. Then, a minimum number of free wavelengths required to transition the network from the first circuit layout to the second circuit layout is determined such that substantially no network service disruption occurs due to the circuit transition.

Abstract: An optical roundabout comprising optical switching elements arranged in a ring, the routing of the inputs of each internal optical switch to its outputs being ganged, each internal optical switching element having add and drop ports, and connected to its next optical switching element around the ring by an optical waveguide.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a network that includes at least two microprocessor-controlled devices that include a first microprocessor-controlled device and a distinct second microprocessor-controlled device, and at least two bi-directional fiber optic cables to provide a communicative ring amongst the at least two microprocessor controlled devices by connecting the at least two microprocessor-controlled devices in a daisy-chain, where the first microprocessor-controlled device and the distinct second microprocessor-controlled device communicate via at least two of the bi-directional fiber optic cables.

Abstract: A path routing computation method enables reduction of the memory capacity for path routing computation. The method is characterized in that a wavelength convertible subnetwork in which paths are connected in a mesh form; a first and second wavelength inconvertible subnetworks have a starting point node and an end point node, respectively, and include a plurality of nodes and connected via the wavelength convertible subnetwork, and out of the nodes constituting the first and second wavelength inconvertible subnetworks, a node has a port connected to the wavelength convertible subnetwork is defined as a border node, and the method includes the steps of: obtaining, for the first wavelength inconvertible subnetwork, a path from the starting point node to a border node in the first subnetwork; and obtaining, for the second wavelength inconvertible subnetwork, a path from the end point node to a border node in the second wavelength inconvertible subnetwork.

Abstract: Part of an inputted optical add signal 118 is reflected by a mirror 117, and is thereby inputted into an optical wavelength multiplexer 105 in the reverse direction so that the optical add signal is returned to paths 115-1 through 115-16 corresponding to wavelengths ?1 through ?16. If the returned optical add signal is an optical add signal having a correct wavelength, the optical signal enters its corresponding backward direction optical detector 113-16. Accordingly, it is possible to check whether or not a wavelength of the optical add signal is correct.

Abstract: A method of closed loop control for an optical link is presented, utilizing a copper feedback connection between the optical transmitter and optical receiver, suitable for short distance applications. An architecture is provides that may be used to define and maintain an optimum optical launch power for a defined bit error rate, guaranteeing extinction ratio and absolute optimum operating power. The invention also includes the use of such a loop in achieving fast link initialization and dynamic optimization to compensate for all effects of time and temperature for all components within the link.

Abstract: An arrangement includes a photonic band-gap assembly comprising at least one input wave guide and at least one output wave guides, and at least one routing element responsive to signals to selectively route a signal from the input wave guide to one or more of the output wave guides.

Abstract: A method for protecting a cross-ring service in an optical network includes the steps of: determining whether a configured working path crosses different rings; and in the case that the working path crosses different rings, establishing a cross-ring protection path which bypasses an off-ring node or an on-ring node of the working path on a ring, and binding the cross-ring protection path and the working path, wherein the cross-ring protection path and the working path is bound, and thus a protection can be implemented for the cross-ring service when the off-ring node or the on-ring node fails, with a reduced occupancy of bandwidth in comparison with the conventional DNI method.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for switching Fiber Channel Arbitrated Loop Systems is provided between a plurality of Fiber Channel Loop devices. In one aspect of the invention, the system switches based at least in part on arbitrated loop primitives. An exemplary interconnect system may include a first port and a second port, both including port logic to monitor certain arbitrated loop primitives, a connectivity apparatus, a route determination apparatus including a routing table consisting of ALPA addresses and their associated ports, the route determination apparatus coupled to each port and the connectivity apparatus, where the connectivity apparatus creates paths between the ports based on arbitrated loop primitives. In one embodiment, the connectivity apparatus is a crossbar switch. Examples of the arbitrated loop primitives that cause the switch to create paths between ports includes one or more of the following: ARB, OPN and CLS.

Abstract: A method for pre-emphasising transmitted signals in channels for multiplex signals along a transmission path comprising supply and/or branch points is provided. According to the method, relative degradations of the signal-to-noise intervals between transmitted signals via any category or group of channels—i.e. express and add or drop channels or add-drop channels are taken into account. A point-to-point link and for transparent optical networks may be used. To this end, the average signal powers of different channel groups are set relative to one another in order to obtain predetermined signal-to-noise intervals for each group. In addition, the signal-to-noise intervals within a channel group are equalized at their termination points. Regulation protocols for controlling the pre-emphasising steps are provided.

Abstract: An optical communicating apparatus that is connected to another optical communicating apparatus by a two-core optical transmission path includes: a one-core optical transmission path that passes an optical signal transmitted from an optical transmitter/receiver performing one-core bilateral communication and an optical signal transmitted to the optical transmitter/receiver in an opposite direction; a transmitting unit that transmits the optical signal transmitted from the optical transmitter/receiver through the one-core optical transmission path, to the other optical communicating apparatus through a first core of the two-core optical transmission path; and a receiving unit that receives the optical signal transmitted from the other communicating apparatus through a second core of the two-core optical transmission path, and passes the received optical signal to the one-core optical transmission path.

Abstract: In an optical fiber network bidirectional WDM traffic is sent on one optical main transmission fiber (1) between two nodes (A, B) connected in the path of the transmission fiber. The bidirectional traffic between a pair of nodes is carried on two different wavelength channels (Nos. 1, 2), one for each direction. The two wavelength channels are added to/dropped from the traffic in the ring fiber (1) in each node using a two-channel add/drop filter (5e1-2, 5w1-2), e.g. a band add/drop filter. In this way the number of add/drop filters connected in the path of the transmission fiber can be kept as small as possible.

Abstract: A ship includes a network, integrating services for security and control services and/or for multimedia and infotainment services on board the ship. The service-integrating network includes services for security-related systems as well as services for non-security-related systems. The conventional situation for network solutions on board cruise ships is characterised by a number of service functions and individual networks distributed over the entire ship. In at least one embodiment, the service-integrating network is embodied as a redundant ring both for services for security-relevant systems as well as for services for non-security-related systems. As such, the number of security functions and service functions and the number of individual networks can be advantageously reduced to a common high-security network.

Abstract: An optical communication system includes an optical ring that couples a hub node and a plurality of local nodes. The hub node is capable of receiving traffic over the optical ring from the plurality of local nodes on a transmitting wavelength and transmitting traffic over the optical ring to the local nodes on a receiving wavelength. At least one local node is capable of adding traffic to the optical ring by determining whether any other local node is transmitting at the transmitting wavelength and, in response to determining that no other local node is transmitting at the transmitting wavelength, transmitting a request message to the hub node requesting use of the transmitting wavelength. The local node adding traffic is further capable of receiving a grant message from the hub node and, in response to receiving the grant message from the hub node, transmitting traffic at the transmitting wavelength.

Abstract: A ring communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of nodes in which a single one of the nodes is configured for full channel conversion and the remaining nodes, other than the single node, are configured for no channel conversion. Links with no more than W channels couple the nodes. The ring communication network may include N nodes and links connecting the nodes for carrying data in W channels such that N?2 log2 W?1, where W is a power of 2. Each of the N nodes includes switches connected such that each channel of a first one of the links adjacent to any one of the N nodes can be switched to no more than W?1 channels of another one of the links adjacent to any one node.

Abstract: A transmission apparatus includes an aggregate-side interface unit coupled to an optical transmission line, a cross-connect unit which performs cross-connect with respect to a synchronized digital signal supplied from the aggregate-side interface unit, and a network signal processing unit which switches the synchronized digital signal in a unit of a network signal as the synchronized digital signal is supplied from the cross-connect unit.

Abstract: A method and system for a data centric architecture in an optical network are provided. In one embodiment, a method and system for a data centric architecture in an optical network includes an optical ring. A number of local nodes are coupled to the optical ring and are configured to receive traffic at a receiving wavelength by optically broadcasting with electrical tag discrimination. Each local node is also configured to transmit traffic at an assigned wavelength different from the transmitting wavelengths assigned to the other local nodes. The transmitting wavelengths are each transmitted at a bandwidth less than the receiving wavelength. A data center node is coupled to the optical ring and operable to receive traffic from the local nodes, sort at least some of the traffic based on the destination of the traffic, and transmit the traffic at the receiving wavelength to the destination.

Abstract: A communications network for a metropolitan area is disclosed. The network is comprised of three basic types of nodes: an access multiplexer, a photonic switch, and a core node. The access multiplexer provides multiplexing of data packets from end-users onto at least one sparse wavelength division multiplexed (SWDM) wavelength. The SWDM wavelengths are carried over fiber cable to the photonic switches, which consolidate these wavelengths into dense wavelength division multiplexed (DWDM) wavelengths for transmission to the core node. The core nodes include a photonic switch (PSX) and a service-aware terabit router core for routing packets within the metropolitan area via the network or out to a long haul network. The photonic switches and core nodes are capable of switching at the wavelength, group of wavelength, and fiber levels.