Patent ID: 6078596
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: H04J,H04Q

Abstract:
A method of ensuring proper communications between two sites in a communications network, wherein the communications network includes a first site having a first Line Terminating Equipment (LTE.sub.1) capable of transmitting a SONET optical data signal in optical communication with a second site comprising a second Line Terminating Equipment (LTE.sub.2) capable of receiving a SONET optical data signal, and a plurality of Section Terminating Equipment located between the first and second sites, the method comprising the steps of:(a) generating a SONET optical data signal at LTE.sub.1 comprising a Line Trace byte embedded in a Line Overhead Component of said SONET optical data signal, wherein a user may enable or disable said Line Trace byte;(b) transmitting said SONET optical data signal along a first optical transmission line;(c) receiving said SONET optical data signal at LTE.sub.2, wherein LTE.sub.2 is capable of detecting said Line Trace byte;(d) acknowledging a presence of said Line Trace byte in said SONET optical data signal received at LTE.sub.2 ; and(e) alerting a network management system if said proper Line Trace byte is not received at LTE.sub.2.