In one embodiment, systems and method for detecting the intent of a connected optics/cable to operate in either a breakout mode or a non-breakout mode are provided. When a optics/cable is used to connect a port of a spine node to ports of one or more leaf nodes, initially both the spine node and the leaf nodes may automatically configure themselves to operate in breakout mode depending on the optics. Later, the spine node and one or more more leaf nodes may exchange speed and optics information using a link layer discovery protocol or another protocol. If the exchanged speed and optics information indicates a mismatch, then the spine node or the leaf node may retain the breakout mode. If the exchanged speed and optic information do not indicate a mismatch, then the spine nodes and the leaf nodes may automatically re-configure themselves in non-breakout mode.

Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for bandwidth steering. Systems may include a plurality of compute nodes configured to execute one or more applications, a plurality of first level resources communicatively coupled to the plurality of compute nodes, a plurality of second level resources communicatively coupled to the plurality of first level resources, and a plurality of third level resources communicatively coupled to the plurality of second level resources. Systems may also include a plurality of optical switch circuits communicatively coupled to the plurality of first level resources and the plurality of second level resources, wherein each of the plurality of optical switch circuits is coupled to more than one of the plurality of the first level resources and is also coupled to more than one of the plurality of the second level resources.

This application provides an optical switching apparatus. Input ports are configured to input a first beam into a dispersion assembly at a first angle of incidence in a first direction, the input ports are further configured to input a second beam into the dispersion assembly at a second angle of incidence in the first direction, and a difference between absolute values of the first angle of incidence and the second angle of incidence is not zero. The difference between the absolute values of the first angle of incidence and the second angle of incidence enables a first region in which spots of the first beam are arranged and a second region in which spots of the second beam are arranged to be separated from each other in the first direction, and enables the first region and the second region to at least partially overlap in a second direction.

Disclosed herein are switch devices in terminal ends of a network and methods of using same. One embodiment relates to a terminal end of a network including a terminal end transceiver configured to communicate with one or more end user devices, and a switch device configured to automatically route communication at the terminal end transceiver between a primary communication path with a central office and an auxiliary communication path with the central office. Another embodiment relates to a method of switching between primary and auxiliary communication paths at a terminal end. Automatic switching is particularly applicable in a looped communication architecture with redundant communication paths for preventing interruption and increasing reliability for an improved user experience. Another embodiment relates to indexing with splices to reduce connections in a communication path and increase signal quality.

Process margin relaxation is provided in relation to a compensated-for process via a first optical device, fabricated to satisfy an operational specification when a compensated-for process is within a first tolerance range; a second optical device, fabricated to satisfy the operational specification when the compensated-for process is within second tolerance range, different than the first tolerance range; a first optical switch connected to an input and configured to output an optical signal received from the input to one of the first optical device and the second optical device; and a second optical switch configured to combine outputs from the first optical device and the second optical device.

A device includes a photonic routing structure including a silicon waveguide, photonic devices, and a grating coupler, wherein the silicon waveguide is optically coupled to the photonic devices and to the grating coupler; an interconnect structure on the photonic routing structure, wherein the grating coupler is configured to optically couple to an external optical fiber disposed over the interconnect structure; and computing sites on the interconnect structure, wherein each computing site includes an electronic die bonded to the interconnect structure, wherein each electronic die of the computing sites is electrically connected to a corresponding photonic device of the photonic devices.

A node device capable of optimal transfer in accordance with the traffic situation of a network irrespective of the optical signaling system is provided. The node device includes a first wavelength selective switch connected to an input-side optical fiber; a fast selective switch connected to the first wavelength selective switch for cut-through or selective switching to an OCS controller or an OFS/OPS controller; an optical coupler connected to a cut-through output of the fast selective switch, an output of the OCS controller, and an output of the OFS/OPS controller; a second wavelength selective switch connected to an output of the optical coupler; and a node controller that performs wavelength assignment control for the first and second wavelength selective switches, path/label switch control for the fast selective switch, and flow/packet switch control for the OFS/OPS controller.

This disclosure describes devices and methods related to multiplexing optical data signals. A method may be disclosed. The method may comprise receiving, by a dense wave division multiplexer (DWDM), one or more optical data signals. The method may comprise combining, by the DWDM, the one or more optical data signals. The method may comprise outputting, by the DWDM, the combined one or more optical data signals to a first circulator. The method may also comprise combining, by the WDM, the second optical data signal and one or more third signals, and outputting an egress optical data signal to an optical switch. The method may also comprise outputing, by the optical switch, the egress optical data signal on a primary fiber.

A device for a network switch comprises N input ports, and an electrical block including a plurality of electrical switches configured to route signals in an electrical domain. Each electrical switch includes M input ports, and the device further comprises an optical block coupled to the electrical block. The optical block is configured to route signals in an optical domain. A configuration of the optical block and a configuration of the electrical block are based on at least a number of the N input ports.

Technologies for switching network traffic include a network switch. The network switch includes one or more processors and communication circuitry coupled to the one or more processors. The communication circuitry is capable of switching network traffic of multiple link layer protocols. Additionally, the network switch includes one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed, cause the network switch to receive, with the communication circuitry through an optical connection, network traffic to be forwarded, and determine a link layer protocol of the received network traffic. The instructions additionally cause the network switch to forward the network traffic as a function of the determined link layer protocol. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.