PHYSICAL LAYER CROSS-CONNECT SWITCH

摘要

Systems and methods for configuring, maintaining and monitoring a layer 1 switching network using physical layer cross-connect switches having a switch controller that configures, manages and monitors data path segments forming links in communication paths.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
receiving configuration settings from a communication path management module and responsively forming a plurality of data path segments by configuring a physical layer cross-connect (PLCC) switch to interconnect each of a plurality of input ports adapted to receive signals via corresponding receivers to a respective plurality of output ports adapted to transmit signals via corresponding transmitters, wherein each data path segment comprises a receiver, an input port, at least one output port and at least one transmitter; selecting a series of selected input ports of the plurality of input ports and interconnecting each of the series of selected input ports to at least one monitor port while simultaneously maintaining interconnections of the data path segments; analyzing replicated signals received at the monitor port to determine signal characteristics; and transmitting data path report messages containing the signal characteristics corresponding to at least a portion of the plurality of data path segments.