Architecture for a hybrid STM/ATM add-drop multiplexer
First Claim
1. A network element, comprising:
- an active/standby pair of line units, each of said active/standby pair of line units being operative to maintain data communications through said network element using a first communications protocol;
an active/standby pair of switch fabric units, each of said active/standby pair of switch fabric units being operative to maintain data communications through said network element using a second communications protocol;
at least one service unit, said at least one service unit including a first backplane interface operative to support said first communications protocol, and a second backplane interface operative to support said second communications protocol; and
a management and control unit operative to provide a control infrastructure for said network element,wherein said management and control unit is further operative to control one or more of at least one of said active/standby pair of line units, at least one of said active/standby pair of switch fabric units, and said at least one service unit, for selectively communicating data units between said active/standby pair of line units and said active/standby pair of switch fabric units, between said active/standby pair of line units and the first backplane interface supporting said first communications protocol, and between said active/standby pair of switch fabric units and the second backplane interface supporting said second communications protocol, in response to one of provisioning information provided by said management and control unit and information contained within the respective data unit.
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Abstract
A network element including an active/standby pair of line units, an active/standby pair of switch fabric units, at least one service unit, and a management and control unit. Each line unit maintains data communications using a first communications protocol. Each switch fabric unit maintains data communications using a second communications protocol. Each service unit includes a first backplane interface supporting the first communications protocol, and a second backplane interface supporting the second communications protocol. The management and control unit provides a control infrastructure for selectively communicating data units between the active/standby pair of line units, the active/standby pair of switch fabric units, and the service unit, responsive to provisioning information or information contained within the respective data unit.
37 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A network element, comprising:
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an active/standby pair of line units, each of said active/standby pair of line units being operative to maintain data communications through said network element using a first communications protocol; an active/standby pair of switch fabric units, each of said active/standby pair of switch fabric units being operative to maintain data communications through said network element using a second communications protocol; at least one service unit, said at least one service unit including a first backplane interface operative to support said first communications protocol, and a second backplane interface operative to support said second communications protocol; and a management and control unit operative to provide a control infrastructure for said network element, wherein said management and control unit is further operative to control one or more of at least one of said active/standby pair of line units, at least one of said active/standby pair of switch fabric units, and said at least one service unit, for selectively communicating data units between said active/standby pair of line units and said active/standby pair of switch fabric units, between said active/standby pair of line units and the first backplane interface supporting said first communications protocol, and between said active/standby pair of switch fabric units and the second backplane interface supporting said second communications protocol, in response to one of provisioning information provided by said management and control unit and information contained within the respective data unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification