US 12,107,775 B2
Modular network element architecture
Daniel Rivaud, Ottawa (CA); Ian Duncan, Ottawa (CA); Anthony J. Mayenburg, Carp (CA); James Tierney, Carp (CA); and Simon J. E. Shearman, Almonte (CA)
Assigned to Ciena Corporation, Hanover, MD (US)
Filed by Ciena Corporation, Hanover, MD (US)
Filed on Apr. 23, 2018, as Appl. No. 15/959,746.
Prior Publication US 2019/0327188 A1, Oct. 24, 2019
Int. Cl. H04L 49/40 (2022.01); H04L 41/12 (2022.01)
CPC H04L 49/40 (2013.01) [H04L 41/12 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A modular network element, comprising:
one or more lineboxes which are a hybrid between a rack mounted module and a line module which is inserted in a chassis;
one or more linebox carriers including a structure that is rack mountable and configured to physically support the one or more lineboxes in a rack and to provide power connectors and data connectors thereto; and
a core chassis physically separate from the one or more lineboxes, comprising one or more switch modules, one or more controller modules, and a set of connectors,
wherein the one or more lineboxes include fabric connections to the one or more switch modules in the core chassis and faceplate ports for client connectivity,
wherein the one or more lineboxes and the core chassis interconnect via cables that include one or more electrical cables and optical cables for data connections therebetween.