Patent ID: 7783194
Filing Date: 2010-08-24
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of tracing a path or path group through a network by an optical management system having partially incomplete physical network topology information, the path or path group being defined by a set of nodal connections on the network that enable particular links on the network to be used to transport data from one side of the network to the other, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a first nodal connection through a first node on the path or path group to be traced, the nodal connection being one of the nodal connections defining the path or path group; ascertaining known physical network topology information associated with the nodal connection, the known physical topology information including link information associated with the nodal connection which the node uses to transport data on the network associated with the path or path group; partially tracing the path or path group using the known physical network topology information to identify related nodal connections through other nodes on the path to create a path segment where the known physical network topology information exists until a gap in physical network topology information is encountered, the gap in physical network topology representing a lack of information about how the network nodes are interconnected from a physical standpoint; and using connection information associated with the partially traced path or path group to determine a further portion of the path or path group beyond the gap in physical network topology information to continue tracing the path or path group through nodal connections beyond the gap in the physical network topology information.