Patent ID: 8902758

Claim:
A method comprising: at a node in an optical network, storing priority of service information for a plurality of light paths used in a data plane of the optical network so that the priority of service information is available to a control plane; sending messages from the node over the control plane using a control plane protocol to advertise to other nodes in the optical network light path availability and the priority of service information, wherein the priority of service information indicates a plurality of priority levels for service for the plurality of light paths in the data plane such that light paths with a higher priority level are to be given higher priority to access of the optical network than light paths with a lower priority level; and serving traffic in the optical network using the plurality of light paths in the data plane based on the priority of service information available to the control plane, wherein the serving traffic includes: receiving multiple concurrent requests for access to a light path resource associated with the node; granting access to the light path resource for higher priority light paths before lower priority light paths; and at the node, upon a fault occurring in the optical network that affects one or more of the plurality of light paths: directing higher priority light paths over an alternative link in the optical network; after the higher priority light paths have been directed over the alternative link, if bandwidth is still available thereon, directing the lower priority light paths over the alternative link while the higher priority light paths remain on the alternative link; and restoring the higher priority light paths before the lower priority light paths over a repaired link.