Patent ID: 8417112

Claim:
A method, comprising: (a) collecting a plurality of bit error rate (BER) values; (b) storing said BER values; (c) analyzing said BER values using a BER hysteresis algorithm to check for an indication of BER degradation, wherein said analyzing comprises: comparing each of a plurality of recent ones of said collected BER values to a predetermined BER threshold level, wherein said recent ones of said collected BER values include a subset of said collected BER values; determining, for each of said recent ones of said collected BER values, whether said recent BER value exceeds said predetermined BER threshold level; in response to a determination that each of said recent ones of said collected BER values exceeds the predetermined BER threshold level, determining whether said collected BER values worsen over time; in response to a determination that said collected BER values worsen over time, detecting an indication of BER degradation; and (d) switching a transmission port in response to said indication of BER degradation.