Error detection and recovery of an optical network element are described herein. In one embodiment, an exemplary process includes, but is not limited to, transmitting from a transmitting module of the optical network element a first packet of data to a receiving module of the optical network element, and the transmitting module transmitting a first value representing a number of bits of the first packet having a predetermined logical value to the receiving module, wherein the first value is used by the receiving module to verify an integrity of the first packet in order to determine whether the packet has been transmitted successfully. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.