Patent ID: 7466917
Filing Date: 2008-12-16
Classification: H04J

Abstract:
1. An optical network operable to carry optical traffic in a plurality of wavelengths between a plurality of nodes, the optical network comprising: a light-trail established in the optical network between a convener node and an end node, wherein the light-trail couples the convener node, one or more intervening nodes, and the end node, and wherein the light-trail is associated with one of the plurality of wavelengths; the convener node operable to establish the optical light-trail by transmitting, in a control channel associated with a different wavelength than the wavelength associated with the light-trail, a setup message to the intervening nodes and the end node; each of the one or more intervening nodes operable to configure a wavelength-blocking unit of that intervening node, in response to receiving the setup message, to allow optical traffic propagating at the wavelength associated with the light-trail to pass through that intervening node; and the convener node and the intervening nodes each further operable to: