Tellabs Operations, Inc.

Mark I Oppenheimer

Ornan A Gerstel

Rajiv R Ramaswami

John C Carrick

Methods and apparatus for managing an optical network using pilot tones are provided. One method includes selecting an optical path having a plurality of nodes from a database defining an expected optical network. A detected list of pilot tones associated with each node of the selected optical path is generated. An expected list of pilot tones associated with each node of the selected optical path is generated. The detected and expected lists are compared to identify any mismatched nodes.

Methods and apparatus for optical network management using pilot tones

Methods and apparatus for managing an optical network using pilot tones are provided. One method includes generating a list of pilot tones contributed by a selected node to each of its target nodes. Network pilot tone sources are re-configured so that a pilot tone source of any optical path incorporating one of the target nodes has a value distinct from the listed pilot tones. The selected node can then be added to the network. Another method includes generating a list including all selected network nodes to be incorporated into a new optical path and nodes adjacent to the selected network nodes. Network pilot tone sources are re-configured until a pilot tone source associated with the new optical path has a pilot tone distinct from that of any listed node. The new optical path can then be added to the network.

Methods and apparatus for managing static and dynamic optical network configurations to enable mapping an actual optical network or validating an expected optical network are provided. In one embodiment a validation method includes the step of selecting an optical path having a plurality of nodes from a database defining an expected optical network. A list of detected pilot tones from each node associated with the selected optical path is generated. An expected list of pilot tones associated with each node of the selected optical path is generated. Comparison of the expected and detected lists identifies any mismatched nodes. Another method includes the step of setting a first pilot tone source to have a first pilot tone value. All other network pilot tone sources are set to have another pilot tone value. An optical path associated with the first pilot tone source is then mapped by identifying each node of the network having the first pilot tone value. Extraneous information can be applied to provide greater assurances as to likelihood of possible actual optical paths during the mapping process. Methods of re-configuring network pilot tone sources to preserve mapping and validation abilities when adding nodes, adding optical paths, or even adding another network to a pre-existing network are also provided.

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Carmel, NY, United States of America

Mark I Oppenheimer