Protocol independent managed optical system

Abstract

Methods and devices for effecting the protocol-independent transmission of data and other communications over fiber-optic interfaces are provided. The present invention includes devices and methods for providing a special communication channel for management, by way of an optical fiber interface, while co-operating with the normal high-speed data-carrying channel, while over the same fiber, and using the same optical wavelength. Thus the management and control of optical interfaces across the fiber-optic medium can be provided without any additional connection, and without interfering with the data signal, such that information can reliably be passed back and forth between the optical transceivers at either end of the fiber.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.