Power save mode for lightpaths

摘要

A method for communicating optically between nodes of an optical network, including forming, between a first node and a second node of the network, a set of lightpaths, each of the set of lightpaths having a respective configuration, and transferring communication traffic between the first and second nodes via the set of lightpaths. The method also includes forming a determination for the set of lightpaths that a communication traffic level associated therewith is less than a predetermined threshold, and in response to the determination, removing a lightpath having a given configuration from the set of lightpaths to form a reduced set of lightpaths. The method further includes transferring the communication traffic between the first and second nodes via the reduced set of lightpaths, while reducing a level of power consumption in the removed lightpath and while maintaining the given configuration of the removed lightpath.

主权项

1. A method for communicating optically between nodes of an optical network, comprising:
forming, between a first node and a second node of the network, a set of lightpaths; transferring communication traffic between the first and second nodes via the set of lightpaths; determining, for the set of lightpaths, that a communication traffic level associated therewith is less than a predetermined threshold; in response to the determination, removing a lightpath from the set of lightpaths to form a reduced set of lightpaths; transferring the communication traffic between the first and second nodes via the reduced set of lightpaths, while reducing a level of power consumption in the removed lightpath; forming a further determination for the reduced set of lightpaths that the communication traffic level associated therewith is less than a further predetermined threshold; in response to the further determination, removing an additional lightpath from the reduced set of lightpaths to form a further reduced set of lightpaths; and transferring the communication traffic between the first and second nodes via the further reduced set of lightpaths, while reducing a level of power consumption in the further removed lightpath.