System and method for traffic distribution using optical switches

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for distributing traffic includes distributing traffic to a first distribution unit (DU) via a first path, receiving an indication from the first DU that a state has changed at the first DU generated by a first dry contact alarm of the first DU, switching the traffic from the first path to a second path based on the indication from the first DU with an optical switch, and distributing the traffic to the second DU via the second path.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Apparatus and methods consistent with example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to traffic distribution using optical switches. [Background technology]

[0002] In a system including a base station that uses multiple distributed units (DUs) that distribute traffic flow in series, a single point of failure along any of the DUs can disrupt the entire traffic flow. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] According to embodiments, a system and method for distributing traffic is provided.

[0004] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method for distributing traffic may include distributing traffic to a first distribution unit (DU) via a first path; receiving an indication from the first DU that a state has changed at the first DU, the indication being generated by a first dry contact alarm of the first DU; switching the traffic from the first path to a second path based on the indication from the first DU, with an optical switch; and distributing the traffic to the second DU via the second path.

[0005] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a system for distributing traffic may include a first DU, a second DU, an optical switch, and a processor configured to distribute traffic to the first DU via a first path, receive an indication from the first DU that a state has changed at the first DU generated by a first dry contact alarm of the first DU, switch the traffic from the first path to a second path based on the instruction from the first DU, and distribute the traffic to the second DU via the second path by the optical switch.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may store instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to distribute traffic to a first DU via a first path, receive an indication from the first DU that a state has changed at the first DU, generated by a first dry contact alarm of the first DU, switch the traffic from the first path to a second path based on the instruction from the first DU, and distribute the traffic to the second DU via the second path, using an optical switch.

[0007] Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of presented embodiments of the present disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] The features, advantages, and significance of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements.

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example environment in which the systems and / or methods described herein may be implemented. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram of components of an example device according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram of a system for distributing traffic, according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart of a method for distributing traffic according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The following detailed description of example embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.

[0011] The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit implementations to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practicing implementations. Furthermore, one or more features or components of one embodiment may be incorporated into or combined with another embodiment (or one or more features of another embodiment). Additionally, in the flowcharts and descriptions of operations provided below, it is understood that one or more operations may be omitted, one or more operations may be added, one or more operations may be performed (at least partially) concurrently, and the order of one or more operations may be permuted.

[0012] It will be apparent that the systems and / or methods described herein may be implemented in various forms of hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. The actual dedicated control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and / or methods is not limiting of the implementation. Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems and / or methods are described herein without reference to specific software code. It will be understood that software and hardware can be designed to implement the systems and / or methods based on the description herein.

[0013] Although particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and / or disclosed herein, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of possible implementations. Indeed, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and / or disclosed herein. Although each dependent claim listed below may depend directly on only one claim, the disclosure of possible implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with all other claims in the claim set.

[0014] No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed as critical or required unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the articles "a" and "an" are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with "one or more." Where only one item is intended, the term "one" or similar phrases are used. Also, as used herein, terms such as "has," "have," "having," "include," and "including" are intended to be open-ended terms. Furthermore, the phrase "based on" is intended to mean "based at least in part on," unless specifically stated otherwise. Furthermore, phrases such as "at least one of [A] and [B]" or "at least one of [A] or [B]" should be understood to include A only, B only, or both A and B.

[0015] 1 is a diagram of an example environment 100 in which the systems and / or methods described herein may be implemented. As shown in FIG. 1, environment 100 may include a user device 110, a platform 120, and a network 130. The devices in environment 100 may be interconnected by wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination of wired and wireless connections. In an embodiment, any of the functions and operations described with reference to FIG. 1 above may be performed by any combination of the elements shown in FIG. 1.

[0016] User device 110 includes one or more devices capable of receiving, generating, storing, processing, and / or providing information related to platform 120. For example, user device 110 may include a computing device (e.g., a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a handheld computer, a smart speaker, a server, etc.), a mobile phone (e.g., a smartphone, a wireless phone, etc.), a wearable device (e.g., smart glasses or a smart watch), or similar device. In some implementations, user device 110 may receive information from platform 120 and / or may transmit information to the platform.

[0017] Platform 120 includes one or more devices capable of receiving, generating, storing, processing, and / or providing information. In some implementations, platform 120 may include a cloud server or a collection of cloud servers. In some implementations, platform 120 may be designed to be modular so that particular software components can be swapped out according to particular needs. Thus, platform 120 may be easily and / or quickly reconfigured for different uses.

[0018] In some implementations, as shown, platform 120 may be hosted in cloud computing environment 122. In particular, although the implementations described herein describe platform 120 as being hosted within cloud computing environment 122, in some implementations platform 120 may not be cloud-based (i.e., may be implemented outside of a cloud computing environment) or may be partially cloud-based.

[0019] Cloud computing environment 122 includes an environment that hosts platform 120. Cloud computing environment 122 can provide services such as computing, software, data access, storage, etc. that do not require end-user (e.g., user device 110) knowledge of the physical location and configuration of the systems and / or devices that host platform 120. As shown, cloud computing environment 122 can include a group of computing resources 124 (collectively referred to as “computing resources 124” and individually referred to as “computing resource 124”).

[0020] Computational resources 124 include one or more personal computers, clusters of computing devices, workstation computers, server devices, or other types of computing and / or communication devices. In some implementations, computational resources 124 may host platform 120. Cloud resources may include compute instances executing within computational resources 124, storage devices provided within computational resources 124, data transfer devices provided by computational resources 124, etc. In some implementations, computational resources 124 may communicate with other computational resources 124 via wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination of wired and wireless connections.

[0021] As further shown in FIG. 1, the computing resources 124 include a group of cloud resources such as one or more applications (“APPs”) 124-1, one or more virtual machines (“VMs”) 124-2, virtualized storage (“VSs”) 124-3, and one or more hypervisors (“HYPs”) 124-4.

[0022] Application 124-1 includes one or more software applications that may be provided to or accessed by user device 110. Application 124-1 may eliminate the need to install and run software applications on user device 110. For example, application 124-1 may include software associated with platform 120 and / or any other software that may be provided via cloud computing environment 122. In some implementations, one application 124-1 may send and receive information to one or more other applications 124-1 via virtual machine 124-2.

[0023] Virtual machine 124-2 includes a software-implemented machine (e.g., a computer) that executes programs like a physical machine. Virtual machine 124-2 can be either a system virtual machine or a process virtual machine, depending on the intended use of virtual machine 124-2 and its closeness to matching any real machine. A system virtual machine may provide a complete system platform that supports the execution of a complete operating system ("OS"). A process virtual machine may execute a single program and support a single process. In some implementations, virtual machine 124-2 may execute on behalf of a user (e.g., user device 110) and manage the infrastructure of cloud computing environment 122, such as data management, synchronization, or long-term data transfer.

[0024] Virtualized storage 124-3 includes one or more storage systems and / or one or more devices that use virtualization technology within the storage systems or devices of the computing resources 124. In some implementations, in the context of storage systems, types of virtualization may include block virtualization and file virtualization. Block virtualization may refer to the abstraction (or separation) of logical storage from physical storage such that the storage system can be accessed regardless of the physical storage or heterogeneous structure. The separation may allow administrators flexibility in how they manage the storage for end users. File virtualization can eliminate the dependency between data accessed at the file level and where the file is physically stored. This may enable optimization of storage usage, server consolidation, and / or performing non-disruptive file movements.

[0025] The hypervisor 124-4 may provide hardware virtualization technology that allows multiple operating systems (e.g., "guest operating systems") to run simultaneously on a host computer, such as the computing resource 124. The hypervisor 124-4 may present a virtual operating platform to the guest operating systems and may manage the execution of the guest operating systems. Multiple instances of different operating systems can share virtualized hardware resources.

[0026] Network 130 may include one or more wired and / or wireless networks. For example, network 130 may include a cellular network (e.g., a fifth generation (5G) network, a long-term evolution (LTE) network, a third generation (3G) network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) network, etc.), a public land mobile network (PLMN), a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a telephone network (e.g., a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)), a private network, an ad hoc network, an intranet, the Internet, an optical fiber-based network, etc., and / or a combination of these or other types of networks.

[0027] The number and arrangement of devices and networks shown in Figure 1 are provided as an example. In practice, there may be additional, fewer, different, or differently arranged devices and / or networks than those shown in Figure 1. Furthermore, two or more devices shown in Figure 1 may be implemented within a single device, or a single device shown in Figure 1 may be implemented as multiple distributed devices. Additionally, or instead, a set of devices (e.g., one or more devices) of environment 100 may perform one or more functions that are described as being performed by another set of devices of environment 100.

[0028] 2 is a diagram of example components of device 200. Device 200 may correspond to user device 110 and / or platform 120. As shown in FIG. 2, device 200 may include a bus 210, a processor 220, a memory 230, a storage component 240, an input component 250, an output component 260, and a communication interface 270.

[0029] Bus 210 includes components that enable communication between components of device 200. Processor 220 may be implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. Processor 220 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or another type of processing component. In some implementations, processor 220 includes one or more processors that can be programmed to perform functions. Memory 230 may include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), and / or another type of dynamic or static storage device (e.g., flash memory, magnetic memory, and / or optical memory) that stores information and / or instructions for use by processor 220.

[0030] Storage component 240 stores information and / or software related to the operation and use of device 200. For example, storage component 240 may include a hard disk (e.g., a magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, and / or solid-state disk), a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a floppy disk, a cartridge, magnetic tape, and / or another type of non-transitory computer-readable medium along with a corresponding drive. Input component 250 includes components that enable device 200 to receive information, such as via user input (e.g., a touchscreen display, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, buttons, switches, and / or a microphone). Additionally or alternatively, input component 250 may include sensors for sensing information (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) component, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and / or an actuator). Output components 260 include components that provide output information from device 200, such as a display, a speaker, and / or one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

[0031] Communication interface 270 includes transceiver-like components (e.g., a transceiver and / or a separate receiver and transmitter) that enable device 200 to communicate with other devices, such as via a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of wired and wireless connections. Communication interface 270 may enable device 200 to receive information from and / or provide information to another device. For example, communication interface 270 may include an Ethernet interface, an optical interface, a coaxial interface, an infrared interface, a radio frequency (RF) interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a Wi-Fi interface, a cellular network interface, etc.

[0032] Device 200 may perform one or more processes described herein. Device 200 may perform these processes in response to processor 220 executing software instructions stored by a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as memory 230 and / or storage component 240. A computer-readable medium is defined herein as a non-transitory memory device. A memory device may include memory space within a single physical storage device or memory space spread across multiple physical storage devices.

[0033] The software instructions may be loaded into memory 230 and / or storage component 240 from another computer-readable medium or from another device through communication interface 270. When executed, the software instructions stored in memory 230 and / or storage component 240 may cause processor 220 to perform one or more processes described herein.

[0034] Additionally or alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to perform one or more processes described herein. Thus, implementations described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

[0035] The number and arrangement of components shown in Figure 2 is provided as an example. In practice, device 200 may include additional, fewer, different, or differently arranged components than those shown in Figure 2. Additionally or alternatively, a set of components (e.g., one or more components) of device 200 may perform one or more functions that are described as being performed by another set of components of device 200.

[0036] A system and method are provided for distributing traffic among multiple distribution units (DUs). In a traffic flow scenario in which traffic (i.e., data) is distributed from an optical switch to a first DU and then from the first DU to a second DU, if a failure occurs in the first DU, the traffic flow is interrupted to the second DU. Thus, as provided herein, the first DU can generate an indication (e.g., via a dry contact alarm) when a change in state (e.g., a software fault) occurs in the first DU. This indication can be received by an optical switch, which can then be configured to switch the traffic flow from the first DU to the second DU. The optical switch can send an alarm (e.g., a dry contact alarm) to the second DU as an indication of the change in traffic flow and as an indication of the failure state of the first DU.

[0037] As used herein, a dry contact alarm may be implemented as a dry contact switch that can be triggered to transition between an open state and a closed state, providing an indication as to the status of the system.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a system for distributing traffic, according to one embodiment. The system may include an optical switch 302, an alarm generator 304, a first DU (DU1) 306, and a second DU (DU2) 308. The optical switch 302 may include a power supply 309 (alternatively or additionally, the power supply may be external to the optical switch 302), as well as a first pin 310, a second pin 312, a third pin 314, a fourth pin 316, a fifth pin 318, and a sixth pin 320. Each of the pins 310-320 may correspond to a respective dry contact alarm / switch, as described below. DU1 306 may include a dry contact alarm 322. DU2 308 may include a first dry contact alarm 324 and a second dry contact alarm 326. While the dry contact alarms 322-326 are shown in an open state, this is for illustrative purposes only, and the various open / closed states of the dry contact alarms 322-326 are described in more detail below. The system can include a first traffic flow 330 from the light switch 302 to DU1 306 and then to DU2 308. The system can include a second traffic flow 332 from the light switch 302 to DU2 308 and then to DU1 306. In some embodiments, the second traffic flow 332 does not flow to DU1 306.

[0039] While operating with the first traffic flow 330, the dry contact alarm 322 may be in a closed state, indicating that the state of DU1 306 is functional. If a fault (e.g., a software failure, a power loss, a signal error, etc.) occurs in DU1 306, the dry contact alarm 322 may switch to an open state, providing an indication that the state of DU1 306 has changed from functional to non-functional. The dry contact alarm 322 may generate a signal that is received from the alarm generator 304, which may be configured to generate a signal (i.e., an alarm) that is sent to the optical switch 302 based on the signal received from the dry contact alarm 322. The optical switch 302 may receive the signal from the alarm generator 304 as an input to the first pin 310 and the second pin 312 (i.e., the first pin 310 and the second pin 312 may correspond to the state of DU1 306).

[0040] An input to first pin 310 and second pin 312 can cause pins 310 and 312 to open, indicating to optical switch 302 a change in the state of DU1 306 (i.e., that DU1 306 is in a non-functional state). In response to pins 310 and 312 opening, optical switch 302 can switch traffic from first traffic flow 330 to second traffic flow 332, such that traffic flows first to DU2 308. Additionally, optical switch 302 can close pins 314 and 316 to generate an alarm that is sent to alarm generator 304. Based on pins 314 and 316 closing, alarm generator 304 can generate an alarm signal that is sent to dry contact alarm 326 of DU2, transitioning dry contact alarm 326 to a closed state (alternative open / closed states will be understood by those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein). DU2 308 can generate a signal to be sent to a central server device based on the dry contact alarm 326 transitioning to a closed state, notifying the non-functioning state of DU1 306. Additionally, the closed state of the dry contact alarm 326 can indicate a system error to a technician observing the system. Thus, pins 314 and 316 can correspond to DU2.

[0041] When the state of DU1 changes from non-functional to functional, dry contact alarm 322 transitions to an open state and generates (or interrupts) a signal to alarm generator 304, which may generate a signal to optical switch 302 to close pins 310 and 312 and open pins 314 and 316. In response, optical switch 302 may switch traffic from second traffic flow 332 to first traffic flow 330.

[0042] Pins 318 and 320 may correspond to power source 309. That is, when power source 309, which is providing power to optical switch 302, experiences a power supply error or failure, optical switch 302 may switch traffic flow from first traffic flow 330 to second traffic flow 332 (i.e., open pins 310 and 312 and close pins 314 and 316) and then close pins 318 and 320. Closing pins 318 and 320 may generate a signal to alarm generator 304, which may send a signal to dry contact alarm 324, causing dry contact alarm 324 to close.

[0043] Thus, by switching traffic to second traffic flow 332 in response to a failure of power supply 309, the system provides an indication to a technician or other observer as to the state of the system. For example, if dry contact alarm 324 is open and dry contact alarm 326 is closed, it indicates a fault in DU1 306. If dry contact alarm 324 is closed and dry contact alarm 326 is closed, it indicates a fault in power supply 309. Similarly, if pins 310 and 312 are open, pins 314 and 316 are closed, and pins 318 and 320 are open, it indicates a fault in DU1 306. If pins 310 and 312 are open, pins 314 and 316 are closed, and pins 318 and 320 are closed, it indicates a fault in power supply 309.

[0044] Table 1 shows the various states of the system, where "O" refers to the open state and "C" refers to the closed state. [Table 1]

[0045] 4 is a flowchart of a method for distributing traffic according to one embodiment. In operation 402, the system distributes traffic to a first DU via a first path. In operation 404, the system may receive an indication from the first DU, generated by a dry contact alarm of the first DU, that a state has changed at the first DU. In operation 406, the system may switch the traffic from the first path to a second path based on the indication from the first DU via an optical switch. In operation 408, the system may distribute the traffic to the second DU via the second path.

[0046] In an embodiment, any one of the operations or processes of Figures 3-4 may be implemented by or using any one of the elements shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0047] The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit implementations to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practicing the implementations.

[0048] Some embodiments may relate to systems, methods, and / or computer-readable media at any possible level of technical detail integration. Furthermore, one or more of the above components described above may be implemented as instructions stored on a computer-readable medium and executable by at least one processor (and / or may include at least one processor). The computer-readable medium may include computer-readable non-transitory storage medium(s) having computer-readable program instructions for causing a processor to perform operations.

[0049] A computer-readable storage medium may be a tangible device that can hold and store instructions for use by an instruction-execution device. The computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device electromagnetic, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of computer-readable storage media includes portable computer diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) or flash memory, static random access memory (SRAM), portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD), memory sticks, floppy disks, mechanically encoded devices such as punch cards or ridge structures in grooves on which instructions are recorded, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. As used herein, computer-readable storage media should not be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission medium (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through wires.

[0050] The computer-readable program instructions described herein may be downloaded to each computing / processing device from a computer-readable storage medium or via an external computer or external storage device over a network, such as the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network, and / or a wireless network. The network may include copper transmission cables, optical transmission fiber, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers, and / or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing / processing device receives the computer-readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer-readable program instructions for storage in a computer-readable storage medium in the respective computing / processing device.

[0051] The computer-readable program code / instructions for carrying out operations may be either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuits, or object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk, C++, and procedural programming languages ​​such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The computer-readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer via any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or may be connected to an external computer (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuits including, for example, programmable logic circuits, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or programmable logic arrays (PLAs) may execute computer-readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer-readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuit to perform an aspect or operation.

[0052] These computer-readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute on the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for performing the functions / acts specified in one or more blocks of the flowcharts and / or block diagrams. These computer-readable program instructions may also be stored on a computer-readable storage medium capable of directing a computer, programmable data processing apparatus, and / or other device to function in a particular manner, such that the computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture containing instructions that implement aspects of the functions / acts specified in one or more blocks of the flowcharts and / or block diagrams.

[0053] The computer-readable program instructions may also be loaded into a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device and cause the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device to perform a series of operational steps to create a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, when executed on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device, perform the functions / acts specified in one or more blocks of the flowcharts and / or block diagrams.

[0054] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer-readable media according to various embodiments. In this regard, each block in the flowcharts or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, including one or more executable instructions for implementing a particular logical function. The methods, computer systems, and computer-readable media may include additional, fewer, different, or differently arranged blocks compared to the blocks shown in the figures. In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur in a different order than that noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may actually be executed concurrently or substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending on the functionality involved. It should also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and / or flowchart diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowchart diagrams, can be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified functions or operations or executes a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0055] It will be apparent that the systems and / or methods described herein may be implemented in various forms of hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. The actual dedicated control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and / or methods is not intended to limit the implementation. Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems and / or methods are described herein without reference to specific software code, and it will be understood that software and hardware can be designed to implement the systems and / or methods based on the description herein.

Claims

Claim 1: A computer-implemented method for distributing traffic, performed by a system comprising a first distribution unit (DU), a second DU, an optical switch, and a processor, comprising: Distributing, by the processor, traffic to the first DU via a first path; receiving, by the processor, an indication from the first DU that a condition has changed at the first DU, the indication being generated by a first dry contact alarm of the first DU; causing the optical switch, by the processor, to switch the traffic from the first path to a second path based on the instruction from the first DU; and distributing, by the processor, the traffic to the second DU via the second path.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the indication that the state has changed at the first DU comprises an incoming alert received by the optical switch from the first DU.

3. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, in response to receiving the indication that the state has changed in the first DU, transmitting, by the processor, an alert from the optical switch to the second DU indicating that the state has changed in the first DU.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising: transmitting the alert from the second DU to a server device indicating that the state has changed in the first DU.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the light switch comprises a second dry contact alarm.

6. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising, in response to receiving the indication that the state has changed in the first DU, opening, by the processor, a first pin of the optical switch corresponding to the first DU.

7. 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising, in response to receiving the indication that the state has changed in the first DU, closing, by the processor, a second pin of the optical switch that is different from the first pin, the second pin corresponding to the second DU.

8. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising, in response to the second pin being closed, sending, by the processor, an alert from the second DU to a server device indicating that the state has changed within the first DU.

9. the first path includes a traffic flow from the optical switch to the first DU and from the first DU to the second DU; The method of claim 1 , wherein the second path includes a traffic flow from the optical switch to the second DU.

10. 1. A system for distributing traffic, comprising: a first distribution unit (DU); a second DU; An optical switch, 1. A processor, comprising: Distributing traffic to the first DU via a first path; receiving an indication from the first DU that a state has changed at the first DU, the indication being generated by a first dry contact alarm of the first DU; causing the optical switch to switch the traffic from the first path to a second path based on the instruction from the first DU; a processor configured to distribute the traffic to the second DU via the second path.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the indication that the state has changed at the first DU comprises an incoming alert received by the optical switch from the first DU.

12. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to, in response to receiving the indication that the state has changed in the first DU, send an alert from the optical switch to the second DU indicating that the state has changed in the first DU.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the processor is further configured to transmit the alert from the second DU to a server device indicating that the state has changed in the first DU.

14. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the light switch comprises a second dry contact alarm.

15. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to open a first pin of the optical switch corresponding to the first DU in response to receiving the indication that the state has changed in the first DU.

16. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to close a second pin of the optical switch different from the first pin in response to receiving the indication that the state has changed in the first DU, the second pin corresponding to the second DU.

17. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to, in response to the second pin being closed, send an alert from the second DU to a server device indicating that the state has changed in the first DU.

18. the first path includes a traffic flow from the optical switch to the first DU and from the first DU to the second DU; The system of claim 10 , wherein the second path includes traffic flow from the optical switch to the second DU.

19. When executed by at least one processor, the method causes the at least one processor to: Distributing the traffic to a first distribution unit (DU) via a first path; receiving an indication from the first DU that a state has changed at the first DU, the indication being generated by a first dry contact alarm of the first DU; causing an optical switch to switch the traffic from the first path to a second path based on the instruction from the first DU; Distributing the traffic to a second DU via the second path. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions.

20. 20. The storage medium of claim 19, wherein the indication that the state has changed in the first DU comprises an incoming alert received by the optical switch from the first DU.

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