Method and network element for traffic protection in WDM fiber optic transport networks

摘要

A method is described for the protection of fiber optic ring-shaped WDM-based transport networks, said networks comprising network elements connected by spans, optical paths being installed between said network elements, said method comprising the steps of providing each network element with information concerning the network architecture; providing each network element with information concerning configuration data of the network elements; providing each network element with information concerning criteria for triggering the mechanism; establishing an information exchange protocol comprising a set of messages and of rules; establishing a traffic rerouting method, wherein said configuration data comprise the ring map, the traffic map, the wavelength and the bit rate concerning every path. The invention contemplates the use of protection mechanisms similar to the mechanisms in MS-SPRING (Multiplex Section Shared Protection Ring) SDH networks.