Method for optimizing a network having virtual circuit routing over virtual paths
First Claim
1. A method for designing a telecommunications network topology comprising at least one site, each site comprising a number of nodes and virtual circuits between nodes, each node comprising resources for accommodating a predetermined number of virtual circuits and a predetermined number of virtual path connections, each virtual path comprising a predetermined number of virtual circuits, said method comprising the steps of:
- configuring an initial network topology;
optimizing the network topology by utilizing the virtual path resources at the nodes comprising the steps of;
grouping virtual circuits at each node into virtual paths for routing comprising a step of merging virtual circuits at each node which have common characteristics including common node points into virtual paths, andif the number of virtual paths at a node does not exceed the predetermined number of virtual paths at the node, splitting at least one virtual path at the node into two new virtual paths until the predetermined number of virtual paths at the node is reached, to maximize resource usage and efficiency;
wherein the network topology incorporating virtual paths is optimized.
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Abstract
Virtual circuits are routed and grouped into virtual paths during an interactive topology design process. Virtual circuits are assigned to virtual paths that provide minimum cost to each pass through a topology design. Virtual paths are dispersed into subgroups that minimize bandwidth consumption and maximize routing flexibility. This topology optimization process is constrained to minimize use of network resources.
242 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for designing a telecommunications network topology comprising at least one site, each site comprising a number of nodes and virtual circuits between nodes, each node comprising resources for accommodating a predetermined number of virtual circuits and a predetermined number of virtual path connections, each virtual path comprising a predetermined number of virtual circuits, said method comprising the steps of:
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configuring an initial network topology; optimizing the network topology by utilizing the virtual path resources at the nodes comprising the steps of; grouping virtual circuits at each node into virtual paths for routing comprising a step of merging virtual circuits at each node which have common characteristics including common node points into virtual paths, and if the number of virtual paths at a node does not exceed the predetermined number of virtual paths at the node, splitting at least one virtual path at the node into two new virtual paths until the predetermined number of virtual paths at the node is reached, to maximize resource usage and efficiency; wherein the network topology incorporating virtual paths is optimized. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for designing a telecommunications network topology comprising multiple sites and virtual circuits between sites, each site comprising a number of nodes, each node comprising resources for accommodating a predetermined number of virtual circuits and a predetermined number of virtual path connections, each virtual path comprising a predetermined number of virtual circuits, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) configuring an initial network topology; (b) optimizing the network topology by utilizing the virtual path resources at the nodes comprising the steps of; grouping the virtual circuits at each node into virtual paths for routing comprising the steps of; determining a cost measure for each virtual circuit between nodes, and merging virtual circuits at each node which have common characteristics including common node points into virtual paths, and if the number of virtual paths at a node does not exceed the predetermined number of virtual paths at the node, splitting at least one virtual path at the node into two new virtual paths until the predetermined number of virtual paths at the node is reached, to maximize resource usage and efficiency; (c) determining a network cost for the topology; (d) configuring an alternate topology based on the network cost; (e) repeating steps (b), (c) and (d) until the network cost is minimized;
wherein the network topology incorporating virtual paths is optimized.
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- 16. A telecommunications network designed to incur minimum costs comprising at least one site comprising a plurality of nodes and virtual circuits between nodes, said network comprising at least one virtual path between nodes, each virtual path comprising a plurality of virtual circuits having like characteristics, the characteristics of the virtual path specified according to the characteristics of the virtual circuit which is a virtual path leader for the virtual path, each node accommodating a maximum number of virtual paths, the number of virtual paths and characteristics of virtual paths specified by merging virtual circuits at each node which have common characteristics including common node points into virtual paths, said virtual circuits merged in order of a cost measure determined for each virtual circuit, and splitting at least one virtual path at the node into two new virtual paths until the maximum number of virtual paths at the node is reached, to distribute resource usage and maximize efficiency.
Specification