Patent ID: 7190896
Filing Date: 2007-03-13
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
1. A method for out-band routing of control messages to control all-optical networks, comprising the steps of: establishing communications paths for customer traffic in an all-optical data plane network, said communications paths being associated with control channels for transmitting control messages over an IP-based, dedicated out-band control plane network, said IP-based, dedicated out-band control plane network being separate from said all-optical data plane network such that a topology of said IP-based, dedicated out-band control plane network is different from a topology of said data plane network, said control plane network including wavelength routing and signaling functions; mapping said control channels from said IP-based, dedicated out-band control plane network to said all-optical data plane network, including creating a logical association between said topology of said IP-based, dedicated out-band control plane network and said topology of said data plane network; and re-routing said control messages to a destination through an alternative control channel in said IP-based, dedicated out-band control plane network using non-broadcasting addressable protocols.