Comprises aggregating data received by a first number of server ports of an edge switch. The server ports operate at a first data speed. The aggregated data is distributed into a plurality of virtual lanes with each virtual lane carrying a portion of the aggregated data at a second data speed less than the first data speed.

Embodiments of this application provide a service protection method, including: A first node determines that a fault occurs on a first working path; the first node generates a bandwidth activation message based on the fault, where the bandwidth activation message indicates a third node to adjust a bandwidth of a service from a protection bandwidth to a target bandwidth, the protection bandwidth represents a pre-occupied bandwidth of a first protection path before transmission of the service, and the target bandwidth represents an actual occupied bandwidth for transmission of the service; and the first node sends the bandwidth activation message on the first protection path.

An optical communications network comprises optical data links interconnected by add-drop nodes, the optical data links comprising data channels. The data channels are allocated into equal-sized bins. In response to a first data channel request between a given source-destination pair, one of the equal-sized bins is assigned to the data channel request. In response to requests for additional bandwidth for the same source-destination data channel request, unused channels within the assigned equal-sized bin are allocated to the data channel request. In response to subsequent data channel requests between different source-destination pairs, additional unallocated equal-sized bins are assigned to the subsequent data channel requests. In response to subsequent data channel requests when resource sharing for one equal-sized bin, data channels in the last equal-sized bin are assigned using the reverse channel assignment process. Reverse channel assignment can also be used for other bins as an option.

An optical communications network comprises optical data links interconnected by add-drop nodes, the optical data links comprising data channels. The data channels are allocated into equal-sized bins. In response to a first data channel request between a given source-destination pair, one of the equal-sized bins is assigned to the data channel request. In response to requests for additional bandwidth for the same source-destination data channel request, unused channels within the assigned equal-sized bin are allocated to the data channel request. In response to subsequent data channel requests between different source-destination pairs, additional unallocated equal-sized bins are assigned to the subsequent data channel requests. In response to subsequent data channel requests when resource sharing for one equal-sized bin, data channels in the last equal-sized bin are assigned using the reverse channel assignment process. Reverse channel assignment can also be used for other bins as an option.

An optical communications network comprises optical data links interconnected by add-drop nodes, the optical data links comprising data channels. The data channels are allocated into equal-sized bins. In response to a first data channel request between a given source-destination pair, one of the equal-sized bins is assigned to the data channel request. In response to requests for additional bandwidth for the same source-destination data channel request, unused channels within the assigned equal-sized bin are allocated to the data channel request. In response to subsequent data channel requests between different source-destination pairs, additional unallocated equal-sized bins are assigned to the subsequent data channel requests. In response to subsequent data channel requests when resource sharing for one equal-sized bin, data channels in the last equal-sized bin are assigned using the reverse channel assignment process. Reverse channel assignment can also be used for other bins as an option.

Provided are wavelength switching and configuration methods and devices for a Passive Optical Network (PON). The switching method includes the following operations. An Optical Network Unit (ONU) responds to a ranging request message sent by an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) on a first uplink wavelength supported by the ONU. The ONU receives ranging information sent by the OLT. The ONU uses the received ranging information as ranging information about a second uplink wavelength of the ONU, and performs data transmission on the second uplink wavelength according to a bandwidth allocation from the OLT. A path transmission time difference caused by a wavelength interval between the first uplink wavelength and the second uplink wavelength is less than a corresponding fault tolerance range when the OLT receives data. The ranging information is obtained by the OLT according to a ranging response sent by the ONU on the first uplink wavelength.

A coherent optical transmitter configured to generate a modulated optical signal within a portion of optical spectrum defined by a spectral position and spectral width, wherein the spectral width is ‘n’ bins where n is an integer greater than 1 and each bin is a same size, and wherein the spectral position and spectral width are specified by to the coherent optical transmitter via a management system.

Systems and methods are provided for flexible wavelength assignments in a communication network. An optical adapter is provided for the systems and methods. The optical adapter has a first interface connected to an optical switch via a first optical cable, a second interface connected to a plurality of server ports via a plurality of second optical cables, and a controller coupled to a switch controller of the optical switch. The controller is configured to perform: obtaining instructions from the switch controller; and assigning, based on the instructions, one or more wavelengths for a time slot to one of the server ports, wherein the controller performs the assigning without direct communication with the server ports.

A management system configured to manage one or more optical transmitters in an optical network utilizing an optical spectrum, wherein the management system is configured to track at least one of said multiple optical transmitters by specifying a spectral position and spectral width of the portion of the optical spectrum containing a coherent optical signal generated by the at least one optical transmitter, wherein the spectral width is ‘n’ bins where n is an integer greater than 1 and each bin is a same size.

Systems and methods are provided for flexible wavelength assignments in a communication network. An optical adapter is provided for the systems and methods. The optical adapter has a first interface connected to an optical switch via a first optical cable, a second interface connected to a plurality of server ports via a plurality of second optical cables, and a controller coupled to a switch controller of the optical switch. The controller is configured to perform: obtaining instructions from the switch controller; and assigning, based on the instructions, one or more wavelengths for a time slot to one of the server ports, wherein the controller performs the assigning without direct communication with the server ports.