Patent ID: 6763192
Filing Date: 2004-07-13
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
A method for integrating optical crossconnect functionality in an optical packet switching apparatus, comprising the steps of:requesting allocation for an output port with respect to an input port in an optical packet switching matrix for a specific period of time; querying a port availability database to determine the availability of said requested output port, wherein the port availability database tracks which inputs and outputs of the optical packet switching matrix are currently being used and whether such inputs and outputs are being used as optical crossconnects; reserving said requested output port if available; transmitting mapping information for an optical path between said input port and said reserved output port to an optical switch control mechanism; creating said optical path between said input port and said reserved output port; and informing a resource management mechanism that said optical path is established, wherein said resource management mechanism functions as an optical core router and as an optical crossconnect, and wherein said resource management mechanism transmits mapping information on the specific period of time that the optical path should remain open to the optical packet switching matrix when functioning as an optical core router.