Inventors:
Raanan Ben-Zur - Campbell CA
Steven L. Shepherd - Monte Sereno CA
Boris Reynov - Cupertino CA
Bayne G. Steele - Pleasanton CA
Nicholas A. Balatoni - Santa Clara CA
Assignee:
Ciena Corporation - Linthicum MD
International Classification:
H04L 2154
Abstract:
An interface for communications among network elements of at least one network is provided, comprising at least one transmitter, at least one receiver, at least one processor, and at least one backplane coupled among the network elements. Data frames of a second type, or Time Slot Network (TS Net) data frames, are generated and transferred over the backplane in response to receipt data frames of a first type from the network. The TS Net data frames comprise switching event information. Compare operations are performed among prespecified TS Net data frames at prespecified intervals, and at least one interrupt signal is generated in response to data changes determined by the compare operations. Information routing is controlled over the network by a processor in response to the interrupt signal.