COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AND METHOD PROVIDING OPTIMAL RESTORATON OF FAILED PATHS

摘要

A system and method for restoring communications between a pair of nodes, between which communications have been broken, in a network. The method comprises the steps of designating one of the nodes a SENDER node and the other a CHOOSER node creating a forward restoration signature having a unique priority; upon receipt of a forward restoration signature at a TANDEM node, modifying and selectively transmitting the forward restoration signature based on its priority; upon receipt of a forward restoration signature at a spare port on the CHOOSER node, choosing the restoration path indicated by the received forward restoration signature, connecting the working port to the spare port, and transmitting a reverse restoration signature having the same priority as the forward restoration signature; and on receipt of a reverse restoration signature at a spare port on the SENDER node, connecting the spare port to the working port, thereby restoring communications between the pair of nodes.