Building a hierarchy in an asynchronous transfer mode PNNI network utilizing proxy SVCC-based RCC entities

• US 6,473,408 B1
• Filed: 05/19/1999
• Issued: 10/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: 3Com Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Benstead, Kenneth, Rochberger, Haim, Or, Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): Yao, Kwang Bin
• Application Number:
  US09/315,213
• Time in Patent Office: 1,259 Days
• Field of Search: 370/254, 370/255, 370/256, 370/257, 370/258, 370/395.1, 370/395.2, 370/395.21, 370/395.3, 370/395.31, 370/395.32, 370/400.408, 370/410, 709/220, 709/227, 709/238
• US Class Current: 370/255
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/10 Routing in connection-oriented networks, e.g. X.25 or ATM

Abstract

A system of building a hierarchy in a PNNI based ATM network utilizing one or more proxy SVCC-based RCC entities. The invention separates the routing, signaling, etc. functions from the functions required to be performed by the peer group leader and the logical group node. A dedicated computing platform is connected to the network but does not perform functions related to routing, signaling, etc. Rather, it is dedicated to running peer group leader and logical group node functions, including complex node representation (summarization calculations) of the child peer group. The dedicated computer has PVCs connecting it to one or more entities that are termed ‘proxy SRCC’ nodes. The proxy SRCC nodes perform the SRCC functionality on behalf of the dedicated computer. When the border nodes in the peer group run the Hello FSM over outside links they each advertise the closest proxy SRCC entity, which is themselves. The border nodes on the other side of the outside link are operative to then generate an uplink with the advertised address of the proxy SRCC. The logical group nodes then establish RCC SVCCs to one of the proxy SRCCs. The PNNI routing messages are relayed from the proxy SRCC to the dedicated computer peer group leader/logical group node via a previously established PVC.

Claims

1. A method of building a Private Network to Network Interface (PNNI) hierarchy in an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a dedicated computer for performing peer group leader and logical group node functions, including complex node representation, connecting said dedicated computer to said network, and said dedicated computer advertising itself as a restricted transit node;

providing one or more proxy switched routing control channel (SRCC) nodes for performing SRCC functions on behalf of said dedicated computer;

creating permanent virtual circuits (PVCs) from said dedicated computer to said proxy SRCC nodes;

advertising, by one or more border nodes, the closest proxy SRCC node thereto;

generating one or more uplinks with the address of a proxy SRCC;

establishing a switched virtual circuit connection (SVCC) based Routing Control Channel (RCC) from a logical group node to a proxy SRCC node; and

relaying PNNI messages from a proxy SRCC node to said dedicated computer via said PVC.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said proxy SRCCs are established on border nodes.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of providing a dedicated computer comprises the step of configuring said dedicated computer to perform the calculations of the logical group node, including the complex node representation calculations at all levels in the hierarchy, while changes in any child peer groups that cause the recalculation of the complex logical group node do not consume computing resources from any non dedicated switches that continue to create and delete switched virtual circuits (SVCs).

4. An apparatus for building a Private Network to Network Interface (PNNI) hierarchy in a PNNI based Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network, comprising:

a computing device for performing peer group leader and logical group node functions, including complex node representation;

one or more proxy switched routing control channel (SRCC) nodes in communication with said computing device for performing SRCC functions on behalf of said computing device;

means for advertising the closest proxy SRCC node;

means for generating one or more uplinks with the address of a proxy SRCC;

means for establishing a switched virtual circuit connection (SVCC) based Routing Control Channel (RCC) from a logical group node to a proxy SRCC node; and

means for relaying PNNI messages from a proxy SRCC node to said computing device.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said one or more proxy SRCC nodes communicate with said computing device via permanent virtual connections.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said advertising means is adapted to advertise said closest proxy SRCC node via one or more border nodes.