Shared wavelength group to differentiate label switched paths for congestion control in optical burst switching networks

A method of identifying Label Switched Paths (“LSPs”) participating in congestion in an optical network using shared wavelength groups (“SWG”), wherein each SWG is associated with an LSP between two nodes and comprises a set of wavelengths, the method comprising the steps of:

• detecting at a node a congested LSP;
• and
• identifying at the node an LSP that has associated therewith an SWG that overlaps with an SWG associated with the congested LSP.

Apparatus for assigning a shared wavelength group (“SWG”) to a label switched path (“LSP”) between first and second nodes in an optical network, the apparatus comprising:

• means at the first node for advertising to the second node a suggested SWG to be associated with the LSP for a link between the first and second nodes, the suggested SWG comprising a set of suggested wavelengths;
• and
• means at the second node for selecting at least one of the suggested wavelengths of the suggested SWG, the selected at least one of the suggested wavelengths comprising an actual SWG associated with the LSP for the link between the first and second nodes.

Apparatus for identifying Label Switched Paths (“LSPs”) participating in congestion in an optical network using shared wavelength groups (“SWG”), wherein each SWG is associated with an LSP between two nodes and comprises a set of wavelengths for use by the LSP between the nodes, the apparatus comprising:

• means for detecting at a node a congested LSP;
• and
• means for identifying at the node an LSP that has associated therewith an SWG that overlaps with an SWG associated with the congested LSP.