Patent ID: 9100120
Filing Date: 2015-08-04
Classification: H04B,H04J,H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
1. A method of provisioning a route across an optical communications network, comprising: receiving, at a nodal controller, data from a user specifying a service level requirement including one or more parameters for a connection across the optical communications network, wherein the one or more parameters include a parameter relating to longevity of the route and wherein the longevity parameter is used to determine an optical signal margin requirement, determining the optical signal margin requirement on the basis of the one or more parameters, the optical signal margin requirement being the margin that is allowed for degradation of an optical signal carrying data over the connection, determining a route to use for the connection, the route being determined using the determined optical signal margin requirement; provisioning the route across the optical communications network by the nodal controller controlling a switch; and wherein the longevity parameter is used to selectively weight different links in the optical communications network.