Coordinated connection validation systems and methods among mated transceivers for verifying optical and data plane connectivity

An apparatus adapted for connection validation between a pair of mated transceivers implemented in a network element, the apparatus comprising:

• circuitry adapted to cause performance of a first optical loopback test through the first transceiver with a unique trace identifier responsive to a request for connection validation at a first transceiver of the pair of mated transceivers;
• circuitry adapted to provide the unique trace identifier to a second transceiver of the mated transceivers with a request for a second optical loopback test responsive to a successful first optical loopback test;
• circuitry adapted to cause performance of the second optical loopback test through the second transceiver with the unique trace identifier;
• circuitry adapted to provide the unique trace identifier back to the first transceiver from the second transceiver responsive to a successful second optical loopback test;
• and
• circuitry adapted to block the mated transceivers for future traffic responsive to one or more of a failure in the first optical loopback test, a failure in the providing, and a failure in the second optical loopback test.

A network element adapted for connection validation between a pair of mated transceivers, the network element comprising:

• a plurality of line modules interconnected to one another;
• and
• a controller configured to
• responsive to a request for connection validation at a first line module of the pair of mated transceivers, perform a first optical loopback test through the first line module with a unique trace identifier,
• responsive to a successful first optical loopback test, provide the unique trace identifier to a second line module of the mated transceivers with a request for a second optical loopback test,
• perform the second optical loopback test through the second line module with the unique trace identifier,
• responsive to a successful second optical loopback test, provide a notification to the first line module from the second line module, and
• block the mated transceivers for future traffic responsive to one or more of a failure in the first optical loopback test and a failure in the second optical loopback test.