Smart connect

An optical connectivity management system for determining if a fiber connection between a first optical component and a second optical component in an optical system is correct, the system comprising:

• a processing agent for storing a pre-defined connection model of the optical system;
• a dedicated communications channel between the first optical component and second optical component running parallel to the fiber connection;
• an optical transmitter located at the first optical component for transmitting a port identification message over the dedicated communications channel to the second optical component;
• an optical receiver located at the second optical component for receiving;
• the port identification message transmitted from the first optical component;
• means for transmitting the port identification message received at the second optical component and information identifying the second optical component to the processing agent for processing;
• and
• means for indicating a correct connection or a misconnection.

A processing agent for use in an optical system to determine if a fiber connection between a first optical component and a second optical component is correct, the processing agent comprising:

• means for storing a predefined connection model of the optical system;
• means for receiving a port identification message identifying the first optical component and information identifying the second optical component from the second optical component;
• means for checking the port identification message and information identifying the second optical component against the predefined connection model;
• and
• means for indicating a correct connection or a misconnection.

In an optical system comprising a plurality of interconnected optical components, a method of verifying if a fiber connection between a first optical component and a second optical component is correct, the method comprising:

• storing a predefined connection model in a processing agent;
• adding a dither to an optical signal to be transmitted from the first optical component to the second optical component to generate a dithered optical signal;
• transmitting the dithered optical signal from the first optical component to the second optical component over the fiber connection;
• receiving the dithered optical signal at the second optical component;
• detecting the dither contained in the dithered optical signal received at the second optical component;
• conveying the dither detected at the second optical component and information identifying the second optical component to the processing agent;
• checking the dither and information identifying the second optical component against the predefined connection model stored in the processing agent to determine if the connection is correct;
• and
• indicating a correct connection or a misconnection.