Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110222394 | FABRIC EXTRA TRAFFIC - A method of forwarding traffic through a network node including an ingress IO card, an egress IO card, and a pair of parallel switch fabric cards. One of the switch fabric cards is designated as a working switch fabric card, and the other one of the switch fabric cards is designated as a protection switch fabric card. In the ingress IO card, the traffic flow is divided into a committed information rate (CIR) component and an extra information rate (EIR) signal. Under a normal operating condition of the node, the ingress IO card forwards the CIR traffic component through the working switch fabric card, and forwards the EIR traffic component through the protection switch fabric card. Upon detection of a failure impacting the working switch fabric card, the ingress IO card drops the EIR traffic component and forwards the CIR traffic component through the protection switch fabric card. | 09-15-2011 |
20110222846 | SHARED PHOTONIC MESH - A network element of an optical communications network. The network element comprises an electronic router for forwarding traffic between a set of client access ports and a plurality of I/O ports. A respective EO interface is coupled to each one of the plurality of I/O ports. Each EO interface terminates a respective optical channel. A directionally independent access (DIA) node is configured to selectively route each optical channel between its respective EO interface and a selected one of at least two optical fiber links of the optical communications network. | 09-15-2011 |
20110222862 | MAKE BEFORE BREAK OPTICAL MESH NETWORK ELEMENT - A network element includes an electronic switch for routing traffic between a plurality of client access ports and a plurality of EO ports, a respective EO interface coupled to each one of the plurality of EO ports; a wavelength selective switch for optically switching optical signals between the EO interfaces and a set of optical transmission fibers; and a control system. The plurality of EO interfaces includes at least one Make Before Break (MBB) OE interface. The control system is operative to reconfigure the network element by identifying an EO interface to be reconfigured. A new optical path is set up through the wavelength selective switch and terminated on the MBB EO interface. The electronic switch is then controlled to re-route a traffic flow traversing the identified EO interface to the MBB EO interface. | 09-15-2011 |
20110255443 | VIRTUAL ROUTERS FOR GMPLS NETWORKS - Virtual routers that abstract photonic sub-domains are provided for GMPLS networks. A virtual router uses a link viability matrix to keep track of the set of viable connections between inputs and outputs of a photonic sub-domain. A virtual router may receive RSVP-TE signaling messages and either allocate a working input to output link pair or, if explicitly signaled, verify that the requested link is currently viable. A virtual router also advertises, in its link state updates, the current set of possible outputs for any input link. Shortest path computations can be implemented utilizing virtual routers by modifying a topology graph in accordance with the link viability matrix of the virtual router. | 10-20-2011 |
20130007230 | METHOD OF NETWORK RECONFIGURATION IN OPTICAL TRANSPORT NETWORKS - A method of reconfiguring a network having a transport plane for carrying subscriber traffic flows within end-to-end connections, a control plane for managing at least a portion of resources of the transport plane allocated to each connection, and a management plane for implementing management functions in the control plane and any resources of the transport plane that are not managed by the control plane. The method comprises installing an updated version of a control plane name space for a target node of the network. For each connection traversing the target node: a control plane to management plane migration is performed for removing connection state in the control plane associated with the connection, so as to transfer ownership of the connection from the control plane to the management plane; followed by a management plane to control plane migration for installing new connection state in the control plane associated with the connection, so as to transfer ownership of the connection from the management plant to the control plane, the new connection state being defined using the updated version of the control plane name space. | 01-03-2013 |
20150304159 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DIVERSE CONNECTION SIGNALING FROM DISPARATE SOURCE NODES IN DISTRIBUTED CONNECTION-ORIENTED NETWORKS - A method in a network utilizing a distributed connection-oriented control plane includes signaling a first path for a first connection from a first source node; storing call information for the first connection at any intermediate nodes in the first path; signaling a second path for a second connection from a second source node; checking at any intermediate nodes in the second path if there is absolute route diversity between the first connection and the second connection responsive to a requirement therein; and responsive to detecting a diversity violation at an intermediate node of the any intermediate nodes in the second path, signaling a crankback to the second source node with the call information for the first connection included therein; and recomputing the second path exclusive of the first path based on the call information responsive to receiving the crankback. A network and node are also described. | 10-22-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110219128 | FAST VIRTUAL CONCATENATION SETUP - The invention is directed to optimizing setup of a VCAT connections using (largest) CCAT containers so as to minimize the number of cross-connection commands needed to enable data transfer. A system and method are provided for enhancing VCAT networks to include faster service restoration rates and faster connection setup times. One embodiment includes expanding available VCAT timeslots to include available CCAT timeslots. A routing and signaling control module alerts a source network element, internal network elements and a destination network element that the data transmission includes VCAT payloads rather than the expected CCAT payloads. By issuing this alert, the routing and signaling control module instructs an end-point monitoring function to overlook any mismatch between the expected CCAT rate and the received VCAT traffic. Otherwise, if the mismatch is not overlooked, then the end-point monitoring function will squelch the received VCAT traffic, which terminates the data communication | 09-08-2011 |
20120224845 | ADMINISTRATIVE BOUNDARIES IN SINGLE OR MULTIPLE DOMAIN OPTICAL NETWORKS - The present disclosure provides systems and methods for administrative boundaries in a single domain optical network such as emulation of an External network-network interface (ENNI) using an Internal-Network to Network Interface (INNI). For example, in a single monolithic domain, a network and associated network elements may discover network elements, build topology, compute paths, establish new calls, etc. A user may identify/mark specific links as emulated “ENNI” links with the specific links actually being INNI links. As a call traverses this emulated link, a new call is initiated (much in the same way a new call segment would be created for a call). Signaling proceeds as normal. When the call set-up is fully complete, instead of a single call segment, many call segments exists. Advantageously, this allows use of INNI control plane features while allowing a network operator to future-proof their network by installing call segments at future boundary points. | 09-06-2012 |
20130272318 | COMMUNICATION LINK BANDWIDTH FRAGMENTATION AVOIDANCE - A method and system for routing a connection on a communication network. A first bandwidth pool is classified as a long lived bandwidth pool and a second bandwidth pool is classified as a short lived bandwidth pool. The long lived bandwidth pool is used to route connections having a duration that are expected to equal or exceed a predetermined time. The short lived bandwidth pool is used to route connections having a duration that are not expected to exceed the predetermined time. A request to route a connection on the communication network is received. At least one characteristic of the connection is determined and is used to determine whether to route the connection on the long lived bandwidth pool or short lived bandwidth pool. | 10-17-2013 |
20130308948 | EXTENDING CONTROL PLANE FUNCTIONS TO THE ENTWORK EDGE IN AN OPTICAL TRANSPORT NETWORK - A method of extending the control plane to a network edge for a network having first set of nodes of the network are designated as core nodes, each core node being operable to route subscriber traffic between a pair of neighbour core nodes and a second set of control-plane enabled nodes of the network designated as tail nodes, each tail node connected to a core node and operating only as a source or sink of subscriber traffic. Each core node that is connected to at least one tail node is designated as a host node. The host node is controlled to advertise summary information of its connected tail nodes to other core and tail nodes in the network, thus making it possible to extend control plane function to the tail nodes which can calculate connection routes, set-up/tear-down connections and perform connection failure recovery functions. | 11-21-2013 |
20140044008 | CONSTRAINING TOPOLOGY SIZE AND RECURSIVELY CALCULATING ROUTES IN LARGE NETWORKS - A method of managing a network comprising a plurality of nodes. Each node maintains a respective topology database containing topology information of the network within a local region of the node, the local region encompassing a subset of the plurality of nodes of the network. The nodes of the network implementing a Recursive Path Computation algorithm to compute end-to-end routes through the network. | 02-13-2014 |
20150229528 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING EXCESS OPTICAL CAPACITY AND MARGIN IN OPTICAL NETWORKS - A method, a network element, and a network include determining excess margin relative to margin needed to insure performance at a nominal guaranteed rate associated with a flexible optical modem configured to communicate over an optical link; causing the flexible optical modem to consume most or all of the excess margin, wherein the capacity increased above the nominal guaranteed rate includes excess capacity; and mapping the excess capacity to one or more logical interfaces for use by a management system, management plane, and/or control plane. The logical interfaces can advantageously be used by the management system, management plane, and/or control plane as one of restoration bandwidth or short-lived bandwidth-on-demand (BOD) connections, such as sub-network connections (SNCs) or label switched paths (LSPs). | 08-13-2015 |
20150333824 | MARGIN-BASED OPTIMIZATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS IN OPTICAL NETWORKS FOR CAPACITY BOOSTING - Systems and methods of optimizing capacity of an optical network include identifying a first wavelength with an associated target capacity; determining that the first wavelength has insufficient capability to operate at the associated target capacity; and adjusting one or more wavelengths to increase capability of the first wavelength such that the first wavelength can operate at the associated target capacity. | 11-19-2015 |
20150333862 | MARGIN-BASED OPTIMIZATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS IN OPTICAL NETWORKS BY INTENTIONALLY REDUCING MARGIN - Systems and methods of optimizing capacity of an optical network, through intentionally reducing margin on one or more wavelengths, include identifying a first wavelength capable of using excess capacity; determining the one or more wavelengths that have extra margin; adjusting at least one of the one or more wavelengths to reduce associated margin to a nominal margin so as to increase supportable capacity of the first wavelength; and increasing capacity of the first wavelength based on the supportable capacity. | 11-19-2015 |
20150333864 | MARGIN-BASED OPTIMIZATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS IN OPTICAL NETWORKS TO UNBLOCK SUPERCHANNELS - Systems and methods of increasing the supportable capacity from a first point to a second point in an optical network, include identifying a first optical signal that occupies a first portion of optical spectrum from the first point to the second point; identifying a second optical signal that occupies a second portion of the optical spectrum from the first point to the second point, wherein the second portion is adjacent to the first portion; adjusting the second optical signal to minimize part of or remove all of the second portion that is adjacent to the first optical signal to provide a freed up portion of the second portion; and adjusting the first optical signal to occupy some or all of the freed up portion. | 11-19-2015 |
20160050470 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING EXCESS OPTICAL CAPACITY AND MARGIN IN OPTICAL NETWORKS - A method, a network element, and a network include determining excess margin relative to margin needed to ensure performance at a nominal guaranteed rate associated with a flexible optical modem configured to communicate over an optical link; causing the flexible optical modem to consume most or all of the excess margin, wherein the capacity increased above the nominally guaranteed rate includes excess capacity; and mapping the excess capacity to one or more logical interfaces for use by a management system, management plane, and/or control plane. The logical interfaces can advantageously be used by the management system, management plane, and/or control plane as one of restoration bandwidths or short-lived bandwidth-on-demand (BOD) connections, such as sub-network connections (SNCs) or label switched paths (LSPs). | 02-18-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140147107 | DROP PORT BASED SHARED RISK LINK GROUP SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Drop port based shared risk link group (SRLG) systems and methods assign SRLG information to drop ports in another level or layer of a network. Thus, drop side SRLG information can be shared between different networks or layers enabling a combination with line side SRLG information within a network to identify and prevent single points of failure across the networks. Typically, SRLG details are assigned to line ports (NNI ports) within a network and this information is not shared with external networks or network layers for routing a connection through the network and the external networks. By assigning SRLG details to a drop port, this information can be relayed between the network and the external networks and considered when planning a route through all of the networks. | 05-29-2014 |
20140169791 | IN-SKIN WAVELENGTH DIVISION MULTIPLEX (WDM) PATH COMPUTATION - A method of managing an optical communication network having a plurality of nodes, the plurality of nodes including at least one regeneration site. A respective Path Computation Element (PCE) function is instantiated and associated with each regeneration site in the network. Each PCE function maintains a reach table containing information of viable optical paths extending from transceivers of its regeneration site. The PCE function implements a Recursive Path Computation algorithm to compute end-to-end routes through a physical layer of the network. | 06-19-2014 |
20140314409 | INTELLIGENT AND SCALABLE ROUTING IN MULTI-DOMAIN OPTICAL NETWORKS - A method of extending the control plane to a metro sub-domain for a network having a transport plane for carrying subscriber traffic within end-to-end connections, and a control plane for managing at least a portion of resources of the transport plane allocated to the connections. A first set of control-plane enabled nodes of the network is designated as core nodes, each core node being operable to route subscriber traffic between a pair of neighbor core nodes in the network. A second set of control-plane enabled nodes of the network is designated as metro nodes, each metro node being connected to a core node and operating as a sub-domain of the network. Each core node that is connected to at least one metro node is designated as a host node. The host node is controlled to advertise summary information of its connected metro nodes to other core and metro nodes in the network, thus making it possible to extend control plane function to the metro nodes that can calculate connection routes, set-up/tear-down connections and perform connection failure recovery functions. | 10-23-2014 |
20150043553 | CONFIGURING A SECURE NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE DEVICE - In an embodiment, a user equipment (UE), establishes a local connection (e.g., USB, Bluetooth, etc.) to a network infrastructure device (e.g., a network switch or router) that is not yet configured for operation on a communications network. The UE obtains, while connected to the network infrastructure device over the local connection, device-identifying information (e.g., a location of the UE, a pre-provisioned identifier for the network infrastructure device, etc.) by which the network infrastructure device can be distinguished from other network infrastructure devices of the same type. The UE loads a configuration installation file that is specially configured for the network infrastructure device based on the obtained device-identifying information. The UE executes the configuration installation file over the local connection to configure the network infrastructure device for operation on the communications network. | 02-12-2015 |
20150117850 | OPTIMIZATION OF PHOTONIC SERVICES WITH COLORLESS AND DIRECTIONLESS ARCHITECTURE - A method, in a node operating in a network with a control plane, to optimize wavelength retuning on service redials, includes detecting a failure on a link associated with the node; and, for each affected connections on the link, sending a respective release message to an associated originating node via the control plane, the release message including a protect path and a wavelength, wherein the release message is utilized by the associated originating node to redial the affected connections with the protect path and the wavelength determined by the node, to minimize wavelength retuning on the affected connections. | 04-30-2015 |
20160036520 | LOCALIZED NETWORK REPAIR SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A localized repair method in a network using a control plane includes, responsive to a failure on a local repair segment defined on a connection traversing the network, generating a release message in the control plane; attempting a local repair on the local repair segment; if the local repair is unsuccessful, transmitting the release message to redial the connection; and, if the local repair is successful, signaling a new sub-path based on the local repair. A controller and a network are also disclosed. | 02-04-2016 |
20160105380 | MAKE-BEFORE-BREAK SYSTEMS AND METHODS DECOUPLING A CONTROL PLANE FROM A DATA PLANE - A Make-Before-Break (MBB) method, in a node operating in a network with a control plane, decoupling the control plane from a data plane, includes, for a connection operating on a path in the network, determining a reserved connection on a new path, through the control plane, wherein the reserved connection has zero bandwidth; signaling the reserved connection on the new path; creating the reserved connection in the control plane while suspending implementation in the data plane due to the zero bandwidth; and releasing the connection on the path and modifying the reserved connection on the new path to establish the connection on the new path. | 04-14-2016 |