Path management for tiered service level agreements in an all-photonics network

Abstract

An information handling system includes a plurality of network nodes and a processor. Each network node includes an optical link and a reflectometry analyzer. The reflection analyzers provide a plurality of reflectometry results that each provide a characterization of physical properties of the optical link. The processor receives the reflectometry results, analyzes the reflectometry results to define a fingerprint of the physical properties of the optical link, and determines a status for each of the optical links based upon the associated fingerprints. The status for each of the optical links includes one of a plurality of graded statuses. Each graded status represents a qualitative measure of the physical properties of the associated optical link. A first graded status represents a better qualitative measure than a second graded status. The processor further receives a request to route a data flow from a first one of the network nodes to a second one of the network nodes. The data flow is associated with a service level agreement that defines that the data flow is to be routed on optical links that have the first graded status. The processor further determines a path between the first network node and the second network node where each of optical links in the path have the first graded status.