Need Help finding support for specific technology with SONET gear

Fri Dec 10 05:18:28 UTC 2004

Please CC me in all replies or reply offlist if not appropriate for list.

I am trying to find equipment for an OC48+ ring for hauling DS3s. I've 
read lots of documentation on handling fiber failures and repathing the 
circuits the other direction on the ring. I know a lot of providers will 
sell half the OC48 as protected and the other half as unprotected, fiber 
cuts resulting in the unprotected circuits all being taken down for the 
protected circuits. But I need something a little different.

I need something that will detect LOS on a single DS3 and repath that 
DS3 to a different port at a remote location. While not the cleanest 
transition, it will handle catastrophic failure of edge router 
configurations by redirecting circuits to a different location where 
routing is mirrored (and down until signaling is established). I also 
need something that will support transitioning all circuits leaving the 
ring at one location to another when communication is lost with that site.

I can't imagine that someone hasn't done this, but I can't find any 
information on it. I'm not very familiar with SONET (a little lower 
level than I usually deal with) or what various vendors support. My 
telco boys tell me that their existing gear won't handle repathing 
single DS3's when they alarm; only fiber cuts. In addition, it would be 
nice if returning to the primary path can be manual or configured to 
wait a specified time interval to insure stability (nothing like 
equipment which likes to bring circuits up twice before resuming 
service). Hints, tips, and tricks welcome. I have certain edge routers 
that I need to ensure availability even during catastrophic failure 
without requiring each of the customers on those routers to maintain 
separate circuits.

Thanks,

Jack Bates