Patent ID: 8385738

Claim:
In a telecommunication system, a method for routing optical data signals using a first communication path comprising at least one optical fiber extending between at least two network elements of the telecommunication system for carrying optical data signals separated from their associated optical addressing signals, and a second communication path comprising one or more optical fibers extending between at least two network elements of the telecommunication system for carrying optical addressing signals separated from their associated optical data signals, each of said at least two network elements having routing capabilities, the method comprising the steps of providing a combination of said optical addressing signals to provide addressing information required for establishing an address for routing the optical data signals, and providing at least one of said at least one optical fiber comprised in said first communication path for carrying said optical data signals separated from their associated optical addressing signals different from any of the one or more optical fibers comprised in said second communication path, and wherein said optical data signals being conveyed separately from their associated optical addressing signals along said at least one optical fiber were generated at a plurality of different network elements, each of said plurality of different network elements having routing capabilities.