SECURITY MONITORING FOR OPTICAL NETWORK

摘要

Apparatus for an optical communications network has optical paths for optical traffic, and optical ports, one of which is an unused output port. A security monitoring system has a blocking part coupled removably to the unused output port to occupy it to prevent unauthorised access. An optical detector can detect optical signals passing through the unused output port to the blocking part, and there is alarm circuitry configured to output an alarm signal based on the detecting of the optical signals. This monitoring can help make the node more secure from interference or from eavesdropping. By blocking the port, the monitoring can be independent of the type of signals on the optical paths. The system can be passive or active, and does not require a change in the installed node configuration and so can be added easily to existing infrastructure.

主权项

1. An apparatus for an optical communications network, the apparatus comprising:
at least two optical paths for optical traffic to or from other nodes, the optical paths having respective optical ports, wherein at least one of the optical ports is configured as an unused output port, available for future use for optical traffic, and a security monitoring system for detecting unauthorised access, the system comprising: a blocking part coupled removably to the unused output port to occupy the unused output port so as to exclude any other part from using the unused output port to gain unauthorised access to the optical path of the unused output port; an optical detector coupled to the blocking part and configured to detect optical signals passing through the unused output port; and alarm circuitry configured to output an alarm signal indicative that the unused output port has been accessed based on the detecting of the optical signals by the optical detector.