Optical power management in an optical network

A method for managing signal power levels of optical signals in an optical network so that the optical signals have selected power characteristics, wherein the optical network comprises a plurality of nodes that receive and transmit the optical signals over optical fibers, the method comprising steps of:

• configuring one or more nodes based on configuration parameters;
• accessing power parameters relative to one or more nodes;
• determining from the accessed power parameters if the optical network is filly configured so that the optical signals have the selected power characteristics;
• and
• re-configuring one or more nodes, when the optical signals do not have the selected power characteristics.

In an optical network comprised of a plurality of nodes having logic to receive and transmit optical signals over optical fibers, a method for managing signal power levels of the optical signals received and transmitted from a selected node, the method comprising steps of:

• configuring the selected node based on configuration parameters;
• receiving power parameter information describing power levels of the optical signals to be received at the selected node;
• determining from the power parameter information if the optical signals to be received at the selected node have selected power characteristics;
• and
• re-configuring the selected node, when the optical signals do not have the selected power characteristics.

An optical network operable to manage signal power levels of optical signals in an optical network so that the optical signals have selected power characteristics, wherein the optical network includes a plurality of nodes that receive and transmit the optical signals over optical fibers, the optical network comprising:

• means for configuring one or more nodes based on configuration parameters;
• and
• means for performing steps of:
• accessing power parameters relative to one or more nodes;
• determining from the accessed power parameters if the optical network is fully configured so that the optical signals have the selected power characteristics;
• and
• re-configuring one or more nodes, when the optical signals do not have the selected power characteristics.

A node operable to manage signal power levels of optical signals in an optical network so that the optical signals have selected power characteristics, wherein the optical network includes a plurality of nodes that receive and transmit the optical signals over optical fibers, the node comprising:

• means for configuring the node based on configuration parameters;
• and
• means for performing steps of:
• receiving power parameter information describing power levels of the optical signals to be received at the node;
• determining from the power parameter information if the optical signals to be received at the node have selected power characteristics;
• and
• re-configuring the node, when the optical signals do not have the selected power characteristics.

A network element operable to manage signal power levels of optical signals in an optical network so that the optical signals have selected power characteristics, wherein the optical network includes a plurality of nodes that receive and transmit the optical signals over optical fibers, the network element comprising:

• node logic that includes an optical receiver to receive at least a first portion of the optical signals and an optical transmitter to transmit at least a second portion of the optical signals;
• and
• power management logic coupled to the node logic and comprising:
• an input to receive configuration parameters to configure the network element;
• a processor operable to perform steps of:
• receiving power parameter information describing power levels of the first portion of the optical signals to be received at the optical receiver;
• determining from the power parameter information if the first portion of the optical signals to be received at the optical receiver have selected power characteristics;
• and
• re-configuring the node logic, when the optical signals do not have the selected power characteristics.