Ciena Corporation

Stewart Kevin Hester

Todd Beine

Rainer Robert Irasehko

Kent Wilfred George Ryhorchuk

In an optical network having a plurality of nodes, administrative information for one node is persistently stored at another node in the network. The network includes a first node having persistent storage memory for storing administrative information from a second node. The nodes communicate the administrative information over an optical signaling channel that travels on a path including one or more optical transmission media between the nodes. Also described is an optical network having a plurality of nodes in which an administrative node processor module at a first node performs administrative control functions for a second node. Also described is a signaling channel module in each node that controls the communication or transfer of administrative information over the optical signaling channel.

Distributed processor modules and persistent storage in an optical network

An apparatus and method for fault detection and isolation in an optical network is disclosed in which each node determines an appropriate response to a line fault or an equipment fault, obviating the need for a central computer to coordinate the actions of each node in response to a fault. Each network node includes a local controller and restoration elements for detecting and responding to faults. Each local controller correllates a first set of optical characteristics measured by optical detectors with the local node with a second set of optical characteristics for the channels reported to the local node from an upstream optical element, such as a neighboring upstream node, to determine if a line switch or equipment switch is required. In a preferred embodiment, each node is communicatively coupled to its neighboring node via an optical supervisory channel, with the neighboring nodes communicating status messages and data on channel characteristics via the optical supervisory channel.

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Belmont, CA, United States of America

Stewart Kevin Hester