Patent ID: 7130264
Filing Date: 2006-10-31
Classification: H04J,H04L,H04Q,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for providing service protection to service paths transporting client data packet streams received from a plurality of packet-based client interfaces over a TDM or WDM network, said service paths being assigned to said data packet streams on a per-client basis, said network comprising a plurality of nodes and, at each node thereof, a plurality of network interfaces for configuring data frames comprising client data packet streams for transport from and to said network, whereby each said client-based service path is defined by a selectable working path when said service protection has not been initiated for said service path, each said working path comprising a selectable bandwidth and at least one said network interface associated therewith, said method comprising: (a) designating selectable portions of said bandwidths of said working paths as unpreemptable and/or preemptable, whereby said preemptable portions of said working path bandwidths are made available for protection preemption by different working paths; (b) assigning a protection path to each said service path which is to be provided said service protection whereby each said protection path comprises a selectable bandwidth and at least one said network interface which is distinct from said network interface associated with said working path for said service path, whereby said protection path bandwidth comprises preemptable bandwidth portion(s) of working path(s) defining different service path(s) and/or unused network bandwidth; (c) in response to a protection switch request configured for initiating said service protection for a protection-designated service path, switching said protection-designated service path to define said protection-designated service path by said protection path assigned thereto, whereby said preemptable bandwidth portion(s) of said different service path(s) is(are) preempted for use by said protection-designated service path and lost for use by said different client-based service path.