Patent ID: 7039009
Filing Date: 2006-05-02
Classification: H04J

Abstract:
1. A method for lightpath restoration in a reconfigurable optical network comprising the steps of: assigning an IP address to each network addressable element in said reconfigurable optical network; determining current topology of said reconfigurable optical network; determining current resources in said reconfigurable optical network; receiving a request to create a restorable lightpath from a source; maintaining information regarding a state of said reconfigurable optical network; selecting first route for data to be transmitted between said source and a destination based on said current resources of said reconfigurable optical network and said current topology of said reconfigurable optical network; selecting at least one alternative route for data to be transmitted between said source and a destination based on said current resources of said reconfigurable optical network and said current topology of said reconfigurable optical network; generating a first API call and corresponding lightpath request message to create a lightpath; generating a second API call and corresponding restoration reservation message to reserve lightpath restoration capacity; forwarding said lightpath request message to each network addressable element along said selected first route; forwarding said restoration reservation message to each network addressable element along said at least one alternative route; selecting an output channel at each node to be used as an input channel at a next node for use on said selected first route; reconfiguring an OLXC at an input channel at a current node connected to said output channel at said current node; reserving necessary capacity at each node along said at least one alternative route; receiving a response from said destination that said selected first route is available; receiving a response from each said destination that restoration capacity is reserved for each link of said at least one alternative route; and maintaining a restoration state at nodes traversed by said at least one alternative route.