Methods and Apparatus for Providing Configuration Discovery Using Intra-Nodal Test Channel

A method of discovering fiber connections, comprising:

• identifying a predefined testing frequency which is different from traffic frequencies at a test module;
• obtaining a first identification (“ID”) of a first optical module that couples with the test module;
• activating a first wavelength select switch (“WSS”) to route input signals and activating a second WSS to select output signals;
• determining number of express out ports of the first optical module configured to transmit signals to one or more add-drop modules;
• and
• transmitting a first test signal via the testing frequency indicating the first ID by multiplexing the first test signal with a first traffic signal at one of the express out ports to broadcast connectivity of the first optical module.

A method of discovering fiber connections, comprising:

• identifying a predefined testing frequency which is different from traffic frequencies at a test module;
• obtaining a first identification (“ID”) of a first optical module that couples with the test module;
• determining number of express out ports of the first optical module configured to transmit signals to one or more add-drop modules;
• transmitting a first test signal via the testing frequency indicating the first ID by multiplexing the first test signal with a first traffic signal at one of the express out ports to broadcast connectivity of the first optical module;
• receiving a second test signal indicating a connectivity between the first optical module and a second optical module by a receiver of the test module in the first optical module;
• and
• extracting a second ID from the second test signal to identify an express out port associated with the second optical module.