In-band control plane and management functionality in optical level one virtual private networks

A network node, configured to operate as a first network edge device of an optical layer one virtual private network (L1VPN), comprising:

• one or more first modules to:
• generate a first optical data frame, where the first optical data frame includes an L1VPN overhead, and where the L1VPN overhead includes a control plane communication field;
• receive a first control plane message, where the first control plane message relates to a control plane processing operation in the optical L1VPN;
• populate the control plane communication field with the first control plane message;
• and
• transmit the first optical data frame to the second network edge device, associated with the optical L1VPN, across a provider network via an optical L1VPN link;
• and
• a second module to:
• perform control plane processing associated the optical L1VPN;
• generate the first control plane message;
• and
• provide the first control plane message to one of the one or more first modules.

A network edge device comprising:

• means for generating an optical data frame for transmission in an optical layer one virtual private network (L1VPN), where the optical data frame includes an L1VPN overhead, and where the L1VPN overhead includes a control plane communication field;
• means for generating a control plane message for a second network edge device of the optical L1VPN, where the control plane message relates to a control plane processing operation in the optical L1VPN;
• means for incorporating the first control plane message into the control plane communication field;
• and
• means for transmitting the first optical L1VPN frame to the second network edge device via an optical L1VPN link associated with the optical L1VPN.