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Abstract

A telecommunications network comprising an SDH ring 9 of a plurality of interconnected MPLS (Multi Protocol Label Switching) enabled network devices 2 (SONET/SDH/WDM multiplexers) is configured to support both central and distributed network/routing protocols. Central management of the network is effected by a central management terminal 1 by means of OSI protocols run over a first data communications network (DCN) 5 of embedded Data Communications Channels (DCCS) 5, 5a. Distributed management of the network is performed by means of MPLS/IP protocols run over a second data communications network (DCN) 6 of embedded Data Communication Channels (DCCS) 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d. The topologies of the two DCNs 5, 6 are different. The central management DCN 5 extends (link 5a) to the central management terminal 1 via an Ethernet interface, whereas the distributively managed DCN 6 is blocked at the interface. Data devices 3, in the form of MPLS enabled switches or routers, are connected to the SDH ring 9. The distributed control DCN 6 extends (links 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) to the data devices 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, whereas the centrally controlled DCN 5 is prevented from extending to the devices 3. Thus an existing legacy optical network may be converted so as to run two DCNs in parallel, the first DCN 5 supporting OSI protocols (in a centrally managed environment) and the second DCN 6 supporting GMPLS (Generalised MPLS) protocols that strictly follow data traffic.

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