Method and apparatus for a reconfigurable optical add/drop module with loop-back functions
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- designating a first port, of an optical communication node of a transport network, as an ingress for a loop-back optical signal to troubleshoot the transport network during operations of the transport network, wherein the optical communication node is configured to be operated by a network operator and the transport network serves a plurality of networks associated with a plurality of customers;
designating a second port, of the optical communication node, as an egress for the loop-back optical signal;
establishing a loop-back connection between the first port and the second port to transport the loop-back optical signal;
monitoring the loop-back connection to detect one or more errors within the transport network or one or more of the networks corresponding to the customers based on, at least in part, receipt of the loop-back optical signal by the communication node;
transferring the loop-back optical signal, based on a detection of the one or more errors, by selectively switching the loop-back signal from the second port to establish a transfer path traveled by the transferred loop-back optical signal;
monitoring the transferred loop-back optical signal to determine whether the established transfer path includes, at least in part, the one or more detected errors;
isolating the one or more detected errors based on a determination based on monitoring the transferred loop-back optical signal on the established transfer path; and
identifying a responsible party associated with the one or more isolated errors, wherein the responsible party includes either the network operator or one of the plurality of customers.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for approaches for troubleshooting optical networks, particularly ROADM-based networks is described. The method includes designating a first port, of an optical communication node of a transport network, as an ingress for a loop-back optical signal to troubleshoot the transport network, designating a second port, of the optical communication node, as an egress for the loop-back optical signal, and establishing a loop-back connection between the first port and the second port to transport the loop-back optical signal.
16 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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designating a first port, of an optical communication node of a transport network, as an ingress for a loop-back optical signal to troubleshoot the transport network during operations of the transport network, wherein the optical communication node is configured to be operated by a network operator and the transport network serves a plurality of networks associated with a plurality of customers; designating a second port, of the optical communication node, as an egress for the loop-back optical signal; establishing a loop-back connection between the first port and the second port to transport the loop-back optical signal; monitoring the loop-back connection to detect one or more errors within the transport network or one or more of the networks corresponding to the customers based on, at least in part, receipt of the loop-back optical signal by the communication node; transferring the loop-back optical signal, based on a detection of the one or more errors, by selectively switching the loop-back signal from the second port to establish a transfer path traveled by the transferred loop-back optical signal; monitoring the transferred loop-back optical signal to determine whether the established transfer path includes, at least in part, the one or more detected errors; isolating the one or more detected errors based on a determination based on monitoring the transferred loop-back optical signal on the established transfer path; and identifying a responsible party associated with the one or more isolated errors, wherein the responsible party includes either the network operator or one of the plurality of customers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus comprising:
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at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following; designate a first port, of an optical communication node of a transport network, as an ingress for a loop-back optical signal to troubleshoot the transport network during operations of the transport network, wherein the optical communication node is configured to be operated by a network operator and the transport network serves a plurality of networks associated with a plurality of customers, designate a second port, of the optical communication node, as an egress for the loop-back optical signal, establish a loop-back connection between the first port and the second port to transport the loop-back optical signal, monitor the loop-back connection to detect one or more errors within the transport network or one or more of the networks corresponding to the customers based on, at least in part, receipt of the loop-back optical signal by the communication node, transfer the loop-back optical signal, based on a detection of the one or more errors, by selectively switching the loop-back signal from the second port to establish a transfer path traveled by the transferred loop-back optical signal; monitor the transferred loop-back optical signal to determine whether the established transfer path includes, at least in part, the one or more detected errors; isolate the one or more detected errors based on a determination based on monitoring the transferred loop-back optical signal on the established transfer path; and identify a responsible party associated with the one or more isolated errors, wherein the responsible party includes either the network operator or one of the plurality of customers. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification