Patent ID: 6680948
Filing Date: 2004-01-20
Classification: H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
In a long-haul optical fiber communication network including a plurality of optical links each having optical amplifiers disposed at intermediate locations therealong, a boundary router for exchanging packets addressed to a destination requiring transmission over one of the optical links, comprising:a first interface for exchanging packets with one of an originating and a destination communication network, wherein said packets received at said first interface are identified by a priority level corresponding to a request for transmission on a best effort basis within at least one of the originating and destination communication networks; and a second interface for exchanging packets, said packets suitable for optical transmission, with an optical link of said long-haul optical fiber communication network; wherein said boundary router is operative to associate a higher level of priority with packets transmitted or to be transmitted over the long haul optical fiber communication network than packets not to be transmitted over the long haul optical fiber communication network.