(19)

(11)

EP 1 350 345 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 08.10.2003 Bulletin 2003/41 (21) Application number: 00973718.0 (22) Date of filing: 20.10.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H04J 3/08, H04L 12/46, H04L 12/437, H04J 3/14 (86) International application number: PCT/US0029/044 (87) International publication number: WO 0306/3395 (31.07.2003 Gazette 2003/31)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (71) Applicant: Ciena Corporation Linthicum, MD 21090 (US)	(72) Inventors: CHI, Charles Redwood City, CA 94064 (US) KISH, William, S. Monte Sereno, CA 95030 (US) (74) Representative: Tomlinson, Kerry John  Frank B. Dehn & Co.,European Patent Attorneys,179 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4EL London EC4V 4EL (GB)