Methods, apparatus and systems for regenerating, monitoring and bridging
optical signals through an optical cross-connect switch to provide
increased reliability. A self testing method, apparatus and system for an
optical cross-connect switch. An optical-to-electrical-to-optical
converter (O/E/O) is provided in an optical cross-connect switch to
provide optical-electrical-optical conversion. I/O port cards having an
optical-to-electrical-to-optical converter are referred to as smart port
cards while I/O port cards without an optical-to-electrical-to-optical
converter are referred to as passive port cards. Test port/monitor cards
are also provided for testing optical cross-connect switches. Methods,
apparatus and systems for performing bridging, test access, and supporting
redundant optical switch fabrics are also disclosed.
