Cisco Technology, Inc.

Ornan Gerstal

Jean-Philippe Vasseur

Stefano Piciaccia

Gabriele Maria Galimberti

Giovanni Martinelli

Mauro Rudi Casanova

Mauro Macchi

Ronald Johnson

Methods and apparatus for efficiently utilizing an optical control plane distinct from an electronic control plane to facilitate the setup of paths in a dense wave division multiplexing network are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method includes receiving a probe arranged determine the optical feasibility of a first path, and determining a probability of success associated with the probe. The probability of success indicates a likelihood that the probe will be successfully routed on the first path to the destination, and is associated with a particular wavelength. A second path on which to route the probe is dynamically identified if the probability indicates a low likelihood of successful routing on the first path. Finally, the method includes determining if a notification associated with the probe has been received, and altering the probability of success based on the notification if the notification has been received.

Optimization mechanism for use with an optical control plane in a DWDM network

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Los Altos, CA, United States of America

Ornan Gerstal