Optical Transceiver Management via Out-of-Band Authentication Wavelength
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Solution Overview
Problem
The management of optical transceivers in IP over optical networks is complicated by the lack of direct communication between the optical network management system and the IP network elements, leading to separate administration of the IP and optical domains, which complicates configuration and monitoring of optical transceivers.
Innovation Solution
Intelligent optical transceivers configured to operate in authentication and in-service modes, utilizing a dedicated management wavelength out of band with service channels, enable direct communication with the optical network management system, allowing configuration and monitoring without requiring a direct link between routers and optical network elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If optical transceivers are integrated within IP network elements, then device integration is improved, but management accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An optical network element is introduced as an intermediary to bridge the optical network management system and the optical transceiver integrated in the IP network element. This intermediary establishes a communication path that allows the management system to access and manage the transceiver without requiring direct integration or physical access to the IP network element.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate administration staffs manage IP and optical domains, then domain independence is improved, but management complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The optical network element acts as a mediator that enables the optical network management system to manage optical transceivers in the IP domain without compromising domain independence. This allows separate administration staffs to maintain their respective domain expertise while reducing overall management complexity through centralized optical domain management capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a communication network comprising an Internet protocol (IP) network and an optical network, wherein the IP network defines an IP domain and comprises a plurality of IP network elements, wherein the optical network defines an optical domain and comprises a plurality of optical network elements and an optical network management system, which takes over control functions in the optical domain, and wherein at least one IP network element comprises at least one optical transceiver which is connected, via an optical path, to a dedicated optical network element. In an in-service mode, the optical transceiver, is configured to convert downstream optical traffic included in a bidirectional optical service channel, which is received from the dedicated optical network element and destined for the IP domain, into IP traffic that is further processed by the at least one IP network element and to convert IP traffic, which is received from the at least one IP network element and destined for the optical domain, into upstream optical traffic included in the bidirectional optical service channel that is fed to and further processed by the dedicated optical network element. According to the invention, the at least one optical transceiver is configured to be switchable between an authentication mode and the in-service mode and to communicate with the optical network management system using a transceiver management channel. The at least one optical transceiver and the optical network are configured to establish the transceiver management channel, in the authentication mode, at least between the at least one optical transceiver and the dedicated optical network by using a dedicated management wavelength out of band with respect to service wavelengths reserved for all optical service channels in the optical network. Further, the invention relates to an optical transceiver which is configured to realize such a communication network.