Filtering and forwarding frames within an optical network

A method for processing information from a downstream path of an optical network, comprising the steps of:

• accessing, at a recipient optical node, a frame having an optics control tag embedded therein;
• determining a distribution mode for said frame;
• detecting an optical node identifier from said optics control tag;
• and
• accepting said frame in response to detecting said distribution mode being designated for a shared service and to detecting said optical node identifier not matching an optical node identifier assigned to said recipient optical node.

A system for forwarding frames in an optical network, comprising:

• upstream communications means for transmitting an optical signal carrying client information on a communications path designated to emulate shared distributions in the optical network, wherein said upstream communications means includes upstream tag control means for integrating an optics control tag with said client information, wherein said optics control tag includes instructions for forwarding said client information within the optical network;
• primary communications means for managing communications with said upstream communications means, wherein said primary communications means includes primary tag control means for detecting said optics control tag;
• and
• forwarding means for filtering and/or forwarding said client information according to said optics control tag, wherein said forwarding means is responsive to receiving said client information from said primary communications means and adapted to reflect back said client information to said upstream communications means on said communications path.

An optical line terminal for managing the exchange of information within an optical network, comprising:

• interfacing means for accessing client information from a communications path designated to emulate shared distributions in the optical network;
• an optics tag detector for detecting a presence of an optics control tag integrated with said client information;
• and
• a forwarding entity for filtering and/or forwarding said client information according to said optics control tag, wherein said forwarding entity is adapted to reflect back said client information on said communications path.

An optical network element for processing information from a downstream path of an optical network, comprising:

• interfacing means for accessing a frame from a communications path of the optical network;
• an optics tag detector for detecting a presence of an optics control tag appended to said frame, wherein said optics tag detector is responsive to determining a distribution mode for said optics control tag, wherein said optics tag detector is responsive to detecting an optical node identifier from said optics control tag;
• and
• a frame controller for accepting said frame in response to said optics tag detector detecting said distribution mode being designated for a shared service and to detecting said optical node identifier not matching an optical node identifier assigned to the optical network element.

A method for transporting a frame within an optical network, comprising the steps of:

• accessing a frame carrying client information;
• appending destination information including instructions for delivering said frame to a destination;
• and
• appending optics control information to said frame, wherein said optics control information includes an identifier for an originating optical element that introduces said frame to the optical network, wherein said optics control information includes instructions for reflecting-back said frame to said originating optical element.

A computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave, comprising:

• a first code segment carrying client information;
• a second code segment including instructions for delivering said client information to a destination;
• and
• a third code segment including optics control information, wherein said third code segment includes identification information for an originating optical element that introduces said client information to the optical network, wherein said third code segment includes instructions for reflecting-back said frame to said originating optical element.