Method and apparatus for software programmable intelligent network
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for end-to-end control of data transport through a software-programmable packet-, frame-, or cell-based network, comprising:
- controlling data transport through the network with one or more switching or forwarding devices distributed throughout the network in a first logical plane, wherein said switching or forwarding devices receive instructions from one or more management controllers situated in a second, logically separate plane for directing data transport through the network wherein said one or more management controllers further communicate with, to at least receive instructions from, at least one cognitive controller situated in a third, logically distinct control plane, said at least one cognitive controller containing instructions for computing routes through said network.
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Abstract
A reservation request is received for a data transport session. The reservation request contains a requested class of communication service through the asynchronous network. The state of the network along the route is then preferably determined and at least one end-to-end route through the network is obtained. The route is based on the requested class of communication service and the state of the network. The data transport session is then controlled, such that data is forced to travel along at least one route through the asynchronous network. This is preferably done by controlling multiple data controllers dispersed along the at least one route by mapping specific data protocols to specific routes, or mapping specific data protocols to specific ports in each data controller. If a state of the asynchronous network indicates that the route cannot transport data in conformity to the class of communication service, then the route is changed to a backup route through the network.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for end-to-end control of data transport through a software-programmable packet-, frame-, or cell-based network, comprising:
- controlling data transport through the network with one or more switching or forwarding devices distributed throughout the network in a first logical plane, wherein said switching or forwarding devices receive instructions from one or more management controllers situated in a second, logically separate plane for directing data transport through the network wherein said one or more management controllers further communicate with, to at least receive instructions from, at least one cognitive controller situated in a third, logically distinct control plane, said at least one cognitive controller containing instructions for computing routes through said network.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for end-to-end control of data transport through a software-programmable packet-, frame-, or cell-based network comprising plural switching or forwarding devices dispersed throughout and communicating through data links in a first logical control plane, the system comprising:
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one or more management controllers dispersed throughout a second, logically distinct control plane, each said management controller configured for control of plural said switching or forwarding devices, wherein said switching or forwarding devices receive instructions from one or more management controllers; one or more distinct communications circuits providing communication between said management controllers and said switching or forwarding devices; and at least one cognitive controller disposed in a third, logically distinct control plane, said at least one cognitive controller communicating with said at least one management controller, wherein said at least one cognitive controller contains instructions for computing routes through the network. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for end-to-end control of data transport through a software-programmable packet-, frame-, or cell-based network comprising plural switching or forwarding devices dispersed throughout and communicating through data links in a first logical control plane, the system comprising:
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one or more management controllers dispersed throughout a second, logically distinct control plane, said management controllers configured for control of said switching or forwarding devices; and one or more distinct communications circuits providing communication between said management controllers and said switching or forwarding devices, wherein said management controller includes instructions for monitoring and accounting for actual usage of currently compliant routes through said network sufficient to enable usage related analysis; wherein said at least one management controller includes instructions for transmitting packet-, frame-, or cell handling instructions to at least one said switching or forwarding devices in response to receiving a reservation request for a data transport session; and wherein the usage related analysis comprises differentiated usage-based billing analysis.
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21. A computer-implemented method for end-to-end control of data transport through a software-programmable packet-, frame-, or cell-based network comprising a plurality of switching or forwarding devices communicating through data links distributed throughout the network in a first logical plane to transport data between a source and a destination based on address information included with said data, the method comprising:
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receiving, at one or more management controllers situated in a second, logically separate plane, transport-related information associated with said data; determining at least one route for said data through said network based at least in part on said transport-related information; and directing, with said one or more management controllers, plural switching or forwarding devices in the first logical plane to transport said data along said determined route; wherein said one or more management controllers further communicate with at least one cognitive controller situated in a third, logically distinct control plane, said at least one cognitive controller containing instructions for computing routes compliant with offered classes of communication service. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A system for control of data transport through a connectionless network including multiple data controllers dispersed throughout a network, said system comprising:
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multiple data controllers a circuit; and at least one management controller coupled to said multiple data controllers via said circuit, wherein said at least one management controller provides instructions for; receiving a reservation request for a data transport session, where said reservation request contains a requested class of communication service through the network; obtaining at least one route through said network, where said route is based on said requested class of service and a state of said network; and controlling said multiple data controllers, such that data is forced to travel along said at least one route; and wherein said one or more management controllers are further configured to communicate with at least one cognitive controller situated in a third, logically distinct control plane, and receive instructions from said at least one cognitive controller for computing routes compliant with offered classes of communication service.
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Specification