Systems and methods for transporting associated data signals over a network

• US 6,577,595 B1
• Filed: 11/12/1999
• Issued: 06/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Level 3 Communications LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Genuity Inc. (Lumen Technologies, Inc.), Verizon Corporate Services Group Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Counterman, Raymond C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chau
• Assistant Examiner(s): HYUN, SOON D
• Application Number:
  US09/438,914
• Time in Patent Office: 1,306 Days
• Field of Search: 370/229-235, 370/395, 370/432, 370/468, 370/412, 370/537, 370/538, 370/540, 370/395.43, 370/395.21
• US Class Current: 370/230
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5692 Selection among different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/15 in relation to multipoint traffic arrangements for broadcast or multicast in data networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/70 Admission control; Resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/801 Real time traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/805 QOS or priority aware
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/822 Collecting or measuring resource availability data

Abstract

The invention provides a method for managing the resources of a network so that a data signal can be carried more efficiently over the network. Generally, the methods of the invention include the steps of identifying a link in the network over which the data signal can be carried, determining whether the data signal can be carried over the link as a part of a multiplexed signal, comparing network resource requirements for delivering the data signal as part of a multiplexed signal with network resource requirements for delivering the data signal directly, and allocating network resources for the data signal as a result of the comparison.

Claims

1. A method for carrying a data signal over a network, comprising

identifying a link in the network over which the data signal can be carried,

determining whether the data signal can be carried over the link as a part of an aggregate signal generated from a plurality of other data signals in the network,

comparing network resources to be allocated for delivering the data signal as part of the aggregate signal with network resources to be allocated for delivering the data signal separately from the aggregate signal, and

allocating network resources for the data signal as a result of the comparison.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein comparing resources includes comparing resources selected from a group consisting of buffer occupancy and link bandwidth utilization.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein comparing network resources includes comparing network resources for efficiencies in resource utilization.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein comparing network resources includes comparing network resources for achieving desired criteria of service quality.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein comparing network resources includes comparing network resources to a set of threshold criteria for meeting selected service quality and selected bandwidth utilization.

6. A method according to claim 1, further including transferring the data signal as part of a second multiplexed signal, wherein said second multiplexed signal is generated as a function of the data signal and the multiplexed signal.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein identifying a link includes identifying a path having at least one link.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein comparing network resources includes comparing network resources for each link in the path.

9. A method for carrying a data signal over a network, comprising

identifying a data path for carrying the data signal,

for the identified data path, determining whether the data signal can be associated with an aggregate signal generated from a plurality of other signals being carried over the network, and if so, identifying the plurality of signals in the aggregate signal,

comparing network resources for delivering the data signal in association with the aggregate signal with network resources for delivering the data signal separately from the plurality of signals in the aggegate signal over the network.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein comparing network resources includes comparing network resources for achieving efficiencies in resource utilization.

11. A method according to claim 9, wherein comparing network resources includes comparing network resources for achieving desired criteria of service quality.

12. A method according to claim 9, wherein comparing network resources includes comparing network resources to a set of threshold criteria representative of selected measures of service quality and bandwidth utilization.

13. A method according to claim 9, further including identifying a plurality of possible paths and selecting among the possible paths based on network resources to be allocated for the path.

24. A method according to claim 9, wherein the step of comparing network resource requirements includes performing a comparison for each link of the path and comparing the network resource requirements using a combination of efficiency and quality of service metrics.

14. A method for carrying a data signal over a network, comprising

identifying a data path for carrying the data signal,

for the identified data path, determining whether the data signal can be associated with an aggregate signal generated from a plurality of other signals being carried over the network, and if so, identifying the plurality of signals in the aggregate signal, and

comparing network resources for delivering the data signal in association with the aggregate signal with network resources for delivering the data signal separately from the plurality of signals in the aggregate signal over the network,

wherein comparing network resource requirements includes performing a comparison for each link of the path and comparing the network resource requirements using a combination of efficiency and quality of service metrics.

15. A data network for transferring a data signal, comprising

a first node and a second node,

at least one link connecting the first and second nodes and capable of transferring the data signal therebetween, and

a comparator capable of comparing network resources for delivering the data signal across the link as part of an aggregate signal formed from a plurality of other signals in the network with network resources for delivering the data signal separately from the aggregate signal across the link.

16. A data network according to claim 15, wherein the comparator includes means for comparing network resources representative of efficiencies in resource utilization.

17. A data network according to claim 15, wherein the comparator includes means for comparing network resources representative of quality of service.

18. A data network according to claim 15, further including

a path identifier for identifying a plurality of paths, each comprising one or more links that interconnect the nodes.

20. A data network according to claim 18, further comprising an encoder capable of processing a bitstream signal to generate a variable bit rate signal for transfer across the data network.

21. A data network according to claim 18, further comprising an encoder and multiplexer capable of processing a plurality of bitstream signals to generate a multiplexed signal for transfer across the data network.

22. A data network according to claim 18, further comprising an encoder and multiplexer capable of processing a plurality of data packet signals to generate a multiplex of variable bit rate signals for transfer across the data network.

23. A data network according to claim 18, further comprising an encoder capable of processing a plurality of ATM signals to generate a multiplex of variable bit rate-signals for transfer across the data network.

25. A data network according to claim 18, wherein the comparator includes means for comparing network resources for each link in each path identified by the path identifier, to select one path for delivering the data signal.

19. A data network for transferring a data signal, comprising

a first node and a second node,

at least one link connecting the first and second nodes and capable of transferring the data signal therebetween,

a path identifier for identifying a plurality of paths, each comprising one or more links that interconnect the nodes, and

a comparator capable of comparing network resource requirements for delivering the data signal across the link as part of an aggregate signal formed from a plurality of other signals in the network with network resource requirements for delivering the data signal separately from the aggregate signal across the link,

wherein the comparator includes means for comparing network resources for each link in each path identified by the path identifier, to select one path for delivering the data signal.