Patent ID: 7590046
Filing Date: 2009-09-15
Classification: H04J

Abstract:
1. A method for protecting a network having at least one data network and at least one transport network, which comprises the steps of: setting up the at least one data network to be transported over the at least one transport network comprising a SONET/SDH network, wherein setting up comprises determining a SONET/SDH Network Protection Mode comprising one of unprotected, BLSR, UPSR, 1+1, and 1:1, determining a Data Network Propagation Signal comprising one of Laser shutoff, K30.7, NOS, OLS, and user configurable, and determining a fault propagation delay period responsive to interoperation of the at least one data network and the at least one transport network, wherein the data network is selected from the group of networks comprising Fibre Channel networks, Ethernet networks, GbE networks and ESCON networks; operating the at least one data network over the at least one transport network, wherein the at least one data network connects to the at least one transport network through a conversion device comprising a data multiplexer and a converter, wherein the conversion device is configured to multiplex signals from the at least one data network into a concatenated SONET/SDH signal; detecting a fault in the at least one transport network; beginning a timer that counts up to the fault propagation delay period, when the fault is detected; initiating a protection switch in the at least one transport network; sending a signal to the data network in place of interrupted traffic to maintain a link thereby allowing the protection switch to correct the fault; determining, before the timer reaches the fault propagation delay period, whether the protection switch is successful, and if successful, resuming traffic over a restored path; and sending a data network fault propagation signal to the data network, if the timer reaches the fault propagation delay period and the protection switch is not successful.