A method of managing a free-space optical network includes monitoring environmental
and weather conditions in the vicinity of one or more free-space optical links
in the network. Data is gathered by environmental condition instruments, such as
visibility meters, and is used to assess whether atmospheric conditions have deteriorated
to the point where operation of one or more free-space links might be in jeopardy.
If data from an environmental condition instrument falls below a predetermined
level, network data traffic is routed over an alternate communication path, which
may include radio frequency (RF) paths, fiber optic cables, wire cables, or other
free-space links.
