Systems and methods for managing multi-layer communication networks

A computerized system for performing preparation operations for a maintenance activity that causes a disruption in a communication path of traffic over a multi-layer network, wherein the multi-layer network comprises a packet switching layer and an optical layer, wherein the packet switching layer comprises one or more IP links and one or more IP nodes, wherein the optical layer comprises one or more optical links and one or more optical nodes, the system comprising:

• a maintenance tool configured to coordinate maintenance activities of the multi-layer network based on maintenance activity data, wherein the maintenance activity data comprises at least a network traffic state, a network topology and a maintenance activity state;
• a storage unit to store the maintenance activity data;
• and
• a multi-layer control system comprising a processor, wherein said processor is configured to:
• a. receive from the maintenance tool an indication that one or more maintenance activities are required on an indicated optical resource, wherein the indicated optical resource comprises at least an optical link or an optical node or a part of a node;
• b. simulate whether the one or more maintenance activities and anticipated traffic conditions will cause traffic congestion in the multi-layer network;
• c. determine an affected optical path, said affected optical path utilizing bandwidth resources associated with optical links and nodes, wherein said affected optical path utilizes the indicated optical resource;
• d. determine an affected IP link utilizing said affected optical path;
• e. remove traffic from the affected IP link by rerouting traffic through one or more alternative IP links;
• f. receive an indication that no traffic is transferred via the affected IP link;
• g. remove the affected optical path by releasing the bandwidth resources utilized by the affected optical path;
• h. activate an alternative optical path, wherein the alternative optical path circumvents the indicated optical resource;
• i. configure the packet switching layer to utilize the alternative optical path, by associating bandwidth resources in optical nodes and links of the alternative optical path to corresponding IP nodes and links of the packet switching layer, in order to reroute traffic transferred via the affected IP link to pass through the alternative optical path;
• j. repeat operations (c)-(i) for each affected optical path and each affected IP link;
• and
• k. provide an indication to a maintenance person via the maintenance tool that the maintenance activity is permitted.