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.