Patent ID: 6111672
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: H04J,H04Q

Abstract:
In a optical communications network having a system including a first light termination element (LTE) coupled to a first optical switching unit (OSU), a second LTE coupled to a second OSU, and the first OSU coupled to the second OSU by a path, whereby optical data traffic can be transmitted between the first OSU and the second OSU via the path, a method for providing a restoration path between the first OSU and the second OSU upon detection of a failure of the system, the method comprising the sets of:(a) notifying the first OSU and second OSU of the failure;(b) assigning a primary role to one of the first and second OSUs, and assigning a secondary role to the other one of the rest and second OSUs;(c) determining a primary restoration plan, wherein step (c) further comprises the steps of:(c1) determining a location within the path responsible for the failure of the system;(c2) determining said primary restoration plan based upon the result of step (c1) when step (c1) is complete within a path-default-hold-off predetermined amount of time; and(c3) determining said primary restoration plan based upon a predefined default when step (c1) is not complete within a pre-default-hold-off predetermined amount of time; and(d) sending information identifying said primary restoration plan from the primary OSU for effecting the restoration path and restoring the system.