Controller for managing bandwidth in a communications network
First Claim
1. A controller for managing bandwidth in a communications network, the controller comprising:
- a service controller;
a service interface between the service controller and a service network element in the network for managing paths; and
a facility interface between the service controller and a transport network element in the network for managing connections, the service controller being operable to set up paths automatically and dynamically balance the bandwidth utilization among a plurality of selected paths in response to current traffic requirements on the plurality of selected paths.
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Abstract
A controller for managing bandwidth in a communications network is disclosed. The controller includes a service controller, a service interface to a service network element, and a facility interface to a transport network element. The controller works at three levels to optimize network resources. At the packet layer, the controller automatically sets up end-to-end MPLS paths, and dynamically balances the utilization of the paths by adjusting the bandwidth allocation and traffic and distribution on the paths. Between the optical and packet layers, the controller works to allow optical resources to be used directly by the packet layer to respond to congestion or increased demand at the packet layer.
113 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A controller for managing bandwidth in a communications network, the controller comprising:
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a service controller;
a service interface between the service controller and a service network element in the network for managing paths; and
a facility interface between the service controller and a transport network element in the network for managing connections, the service controller being operable to set up paths automatically and dynamically balance the bandwidth utilization among a plurality of selected paths in response to current traffic requirements on the plurality of selected paths. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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15. A controller for a communications network comprising:
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resource conservation means for automatically maintaining the bandwidth allocation of paths between two service nodes in the network at a level that is adjusted dynamically in accordance with a current traffic utilization level of the paths; and
resource deployment means for automatically redistributing network resources between the paths. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification