Control and management for impairment-aware optical network

Abstract

A network analytics engine predicts impairment of one or more communications links included in a current data path being used to transmit data through a network, and transmits information indicating the predicted impairment to a network controller in a warning message. In response to receiving the warning message, the network controller identifies potential alternative data paths that exclude any communication links predicted to experience an impairment. Before setting up an alternative data path, however, the network controller waits for a fault notification confirming the predicted impairment. If the fault notification is received before expiration of a waiting period, the network controller sets up one of the potential alternative data paths in place of the current data path.