An example system includes a first network device having first circuitry. The first network device is configured to perform operations including receiving data to be transmitted to a second network device over an optical communications network, and transmitting first information and second information to the second device. The first information is indicative of the data, and is transmitted using a first communications link of the optical communications network and using a first subset of optical subcarriers. The second information is indicative of the data, and is transmitted using a second communications link of the optical communications network and using a second subset of optical subcarriers. The first subset of optical subcarriers is different from the second subset of optical subcarriers.

Systems and methods for managing a list or restoration paths are provided. A method, according to one implementation, includes obtaining a list of restoration paths used for restoring transmission in a network when a home path between an originating node and a termination node is unavailable. The restoration paths are listed in a specific order based on ongoing transmission costs, where the ongoing transmission cost for each restoration path is based on characteristics associated with transmitting signals along the respective restoration path. The method also includes the step of reordering the restoration paths in the list based on restoration costs and the ongoing transmission costs. The restoration cost for each restoration path is based on a procedure for switching from the home path to the respective restoration path.

Systems and methods include obtaining a network state of a network having a plurality of nodes interconnected by a plurality of links and with services configured between the plurality of nodes on the plurality of links; utilizing a reinforcement learning engine to analyze the services and the network state to determine modifications to one or more candidate services of the services to increase a value of the network state; and, responsive to implementation of the modification to the one or more candidate services, updating the network state based thereon. The modifications can include changes to any of routing, modulation, and spectral assignment to the one or more candidate services.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for recommending actions to be taken in a network for optimizing or improving the operability of the network. A method, according to one implementation, includes a first step of receiving raw, unprocessed data that is obtained directly from one or more network elements of a network. The method includes second step of determining one or more remedial actions using a direct association between the raw, unprocessed data and the one or more remedial actions.

An example system includes a first network device having first circuitry. The first network device is configured to perform operations including receiving data to be transmitted to a second network device over an optical communications network, and transmitting first information and second information to the second device. The first information is indicative of the data, and is transmitted using a first communications link of the optical communications network and using a first subset of optical subcarriers. The second information is indicative of the data, and is transmitted using a second communications link of the optical communications network and using a second subset of optical subcarriers. The first subset of optical subcarriers is different from the second subset of optical subcarriers.

An example system includes a first network device having first circuitry. The first network device is configured to perform operations including receiving data to be transmitted to a second network device over an optical communications network, and transmitting first information and second information to the second device. The first information is indicative of the data, and is transmitted using a first communications link of the optical communications network and using a first subset of optical subcarriers. The second information is indicative of the data, and is transmitted using a second communications link of the optical communications network and using a second subset of optical subcarriers. The first subset of optical subcarriers is different from the second subset of optical subcarriers.

The disclosed apparatuses and methods are directed to embedding of virtual links in an optical network. The method comprises: receiving an adaptation request for a virtual link within a virtual network embedded on an optical substrate network; generating a plurality of candidate embeddings based on a topology of the substrate network and a current embedding of the virtual link, each candidate embedding satisfying the adaptation request; determining a total cost of each candidate embedding based on a disruption cost of the candidate embedding; and selecting, as a new embedding, a candidate embedding from the plurality of candidate embeddings in accordance with the determined total cost of the selected candidate embedding.

A pseudo all-to-all connected system for optical communications are provided. A plurality of nodes are grouped into a node-division multiplexing (NDM) node. An electrical shuffle comprising a plurality of electrical traces connects each port of the plurality of nodes to at least one optical transceiver. The at least one optical transceiver is configured to multiplex a plurality of electrical signals from the plurality of nodes into a plurality of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical signals, the electrical shuffle being configured to route the plurality of electrical signals from each port of the plurality of nodes to form one of a plurality of ordered sequences of signals from the plurality of nodes. A fiber shuffle is configured to route the plurality of WDM optical signals to and from a plurality of NDM connectors.

Provided are: a photon detection light-receiving device with which it is possible to avoid malfunctions caused by the application of high voltages, and to shorten the delays in communication time in mesh-type network communication; and a communication apparatus equipped with the photon detection light-receiving device. The photon detection light-receiving device has a photon detection APD, a quenching resistor and a capacitor, with one end of the quenching resistor and one end of the capacitor being connected to one terminal of the photon detection APD. The optical wireless communication apparatus comprises: a housing; a photon detection light-receiving device that generates an electrical signal from received light; a receiving unit that generates a reception data signal using an electrical signal from the photon detection light-receiving device; a transmission unit that generates an electrical signal using a transmission data signal; a light emitting device into which the electrical signal from the transmission unit is input and generates transmission light; and an optical wireless communication controller that generates transmission data or reception data corresponding to the protocol of an external apparatus.

Systems and methods include determining a defragmentation plan that changes a configuration of a network to move the network from a current state of operation to a new state of operation; updating any of the defragmentation plan and the new state of operation in response to an opportunity presented during operation of the network; and implementing one or more steps in the defragmentation plan based on the opportunity. The opportunity can be anticipated to occur at a future time and implementation of the one or more steps is conditioned on occurrence of the opportunity. For example, the opportunity can include any of a maintenance window, a network equipment change, a capacity change in the network, a change to demand in the network, an external event including weather, and changes in links in the network. Also, the opportunity can include a fault.