Ciena Corporation

Michael B Peters-Rodbell

Srinivasa Hebbar

Rajan Kapur

Clark Scrandis

Martha Dunbar

Stephen R Harmon

Keith A Condict

Wesley R Jones

James B Wensink

James C Gaskin

A distributed method and system of controlling a communications network having a plurality of spans of interconnected network elements some of which include a network element processor distributes network topology information to respective span databases; stores original fault objects in the respective span databases; advertises fault objects to other network element processors in a local span when the original fault affects network elements other than a network element in which the fault occurred; advertises alarm objects to other network element processors that are respectively associated with a circuit affected by the original faults; stores the advertised fault and alarm objects in the respective span databases; and performs distributed processing of the advertised fault and alarm objects with the other network element processors and the respective span databases. Aggregation of other faults and alarms that may be occurring on the communications network due to other faults other than the received fault aids in determining causality of the fault. Causality may be determined by correlating other faults and alarms with the received fault. If not a root cause of another fault or alarm, the received fault is sympathetic to another fault or alarm. Sympathetic faults are suppressed while root cause faults are promoted to an alarm and reported to affected network elements. The number of alarms viewed by a network manager as well as the reporting of alarms and underlying faults are reduced by performing such distributed alarm correlation and fault reporting suppression.

Method and apparatus for aggregating alarms and faults of a communications network

The present invention is directed toward a distributed intelligence fiber-optic communication network in which node control processors (NCPs) associated with each network element periodically transmit identification and status information to the other NCPs in the network. Various faults in the network can thus be readily identified, and appropriate tasks for modifying the network in response to the fault (such as rerouting around a defective network element) can be carried out. Further, information continues to be distributed among the NCPs even if a break occurs in a segment of fiber in the network.

Distributed intelligence wavelength division multiplexed network

Method of controlling a network element to aggregate alarms and faults of a communications network

A method and system for emulating the optical behavior of an optical communications generates wavelength modeled objects for each emulated optical signal and a variety of other modeled objects for the optical communications modules of the emulated system such as transmitter modeled objects, a combiner modeled object, an amplifier modeled object, a splitter modeled object, and receiver modeled objects. Each of the modeled objects includes certain optical attributes and a behavior modeling function particular to the module being emulated. The optical modules themselves are also represented as emulated processes. The modeled objects are propagated along a logical path from emulated process to emulated process. Upon receipt of a modeled object the emulated process executes the behavior modeling function and updates modeling objects affected by the execution. The propagation of modeled objects and execution of behavior modeling functions in this fashion results in a cascade of optical property changes across the emulated system.

Method and apparatus for emulating the optical behavior of optical communication systems

Method and system for determining and suppressing sympathetic faults of a communications network

A distributed method and system of controlling a communications network having spans of interconnected network elements that distribute network topology information to respective span databases; advertise fault objects to other network elements in a local span when the original fault affects network elements; advertise alarm objects to other network elements that are respectively associated with a circuit affected by the original fault; and perform distributed processing of the advertised fault and alarm objects with the other network elements and the respective span databases. Other faults and alarms that may exist on the network are aggregated. Causality may be determined by correlating other faults and alarms with the received fault. Sympathetic faults are suppressed while root cause faults are promoted to an alarm and reported to affected network elements. The number of alarms viewed by a network manager are reduced by performing such distributed alarm correlation and fault reporting suppression.

Communications network and method performing distributed processing of fault and alarm objects

Method and system for processing alarm objects in a communications network

A network communication system comprising an optical communication path and a plurality of network elements disposed along the optical communication path. A first network element coupled to the optical communication path includes a first processor and a first optical component. The status of the first optical component being monitored by the first processor. The first processor generates a first electrical signal in accordance with the status of the first optical component. The first network element also includes a service channel transmitter coupled to the first processor and emits a second optical signal to the optical communication path at a second wavelength different than the first plurality of wavelengths in response to the first electrical signal. The second optical signal being modulated in accordance with the second electrical signal. A second network element is coupled to the optical communication path and includes a second processor, a second optical component coupled to the second processor and a service channel receiver coupled to the first processor and to the optical communication path. The receiver senses the second optical signal. The service channel receiver outputs a second electrical signal to the second processor in response to the second optical signal. The second processor controls the second optical component in response to the second electrical signal.

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Dayton, MD, United States of America

Michael B Peters-Rodbell