The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for automatically provisioning data stitching circuits within a network element (NE). Data circuits are defined as the interface cards within NE that are receiving a particular data stream. Data stitching circuits are defined as data circuits that are provided with a destination point and a next destination point for each interface card. The NE creates a data-stitching matrix that identifies a path (i.e., destination and next destination) for the data stream to follow. The matrix is used by a cross-connect to reroute the data stream around one or more inoperable interface cards. When interface cards within the NE request to be provisioned into or out of a data stitching circuit the NE automatically updates the data-stitching matrix.
STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/625,662, filed Jul. 26, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,738,825, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes in their entirety.
