Cross-connect using ethernet multiplexors for a simple metro ethernet network

A communication network comprising:

• a plurality of edge multiplexors, each edge multiplexor having a respective uplink port and a respective plurality of line ports for coupling to a respective plurality of end devices;
• a transport network coupled to each of the respective uplink ports, the transport network being configured to carry data packets generated by the plurality of end devices;
• a plurality of core multiplexors, each core multiplexor having a respective uplink port and a respective plurality of line ports, the respective plurality of line ports having a one-to-one line port correspondence with a corresponding one of the plurality of edge multiplexors;
• and
• a cross-connect coupled to at least two line ports of the plurality of line ports of the core multiplexors to provide a communication path between the at least two line ports of the core multiplexors thereby providing a communication path between at least two line ports of the plurality of line ports of the edge multiplexors.

The communication network of claim 1, wherein the plurality of core multiplexors comprise:

• a first core multiplexor having a respective uplink port and a respective plurality of line ports, the first core multiplexor configured to:
• receive data packets at the respective plurality of line ports of the first core multiplexor,
• tag the received data packets with an identifier uniquely identifying the line port receiving the data packet,
• multiplex the tagged and received data packets into multiplexed data, and
• transmit the multiplexed data on the respective uplink port of the first core multiplexor;
• and
• a second core multiplexor having a respective uplink port and a respective plurality of line ports, the second core multiplexor configured:
• receive data packets at the respective plurality of line ports of the second core multiplexor;
• tag the received data packets with an identifier uniquely identifying the line port receiving the data packet,
• multiplex the tagged and received data packets into multiplexed data, and
• transmit the multiplexed data on the respective uplink port of the second core multiplexor.

A communication network comprising:

• a first plurality of local communication networks as defined in claim 1;
• a first regional cross-connect connected to a respective cross-connect of each local communication network via a regional transport network;
• a second plurality of local communication networks as defined in claim 1;
• a second regional cross-connect connected to a respective cross-connect of each local communication network via a regional transport network;
• and
• an inter-regional transport network connected between the first regional cross-connect and the second regional cross-connect.