Provisioning of connection through a SONET/SDH network
First Claim
1. A method of provisioning a connection across a SONET/SDH network between first and second network nodes, the network comprising at least a top level sub-network and one or more further levels of sub-networks, at least one of the further levels comprising two or more separate sub-networks, and each of the sub-networks comprising two or more network nodes, with sub-networks in the levels being coupled to sub-networks in adjacent levels by shared network nodes, the first and second nodes not being part of the same sub-network, the method comprising:
- determining a model of the entire network, the model indicating the connections between all sub-networks, and representing each sub-network as a single unit;
calculating a route between the sub-networks containing the first and second nodes using the model; and
passing the signals along the determined route, and determining the route between nodes within each sub-network locally within the respective sub-network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of provisioning a connection across a SONET/SDU network formed from multiple sub-networks comprises: determining a model of the entire network, the model indicating the connections between all sub-networks, and representing each sub-network as a single unit; calculating a route between the sub-networks containing the first and second nodes using the model; passing the signals along the determined route, and determining the route between nodes within each sub-network locally within the respective sub-network. This method enables a simplified model of the network to be stored in each node of the network, so that a route calculation can take place at the sending node. The specific route through the network is determined as the signal passes through the network, as the specific path through individual sub-networks is determined locally. Thus, each node only needs to be capable of calculating a general route using the simplified model of the whole network and also capable of calculating a specific route through the sub-network of the node itself.
21 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of provisioning a connection across a SONET/SDH network between first and second network nodes, the network comprising at least a top level sub-network and one or more further levels of sub-networks, at least one of the further levels comprising two or more separate sub-networks, and each of the sub-networks comprising two or more network nodes, with sub-networks in the levels being coupled to sub-networks in adjacent levels by shared network nodes, the first and second nodes not being part of the same sub-network, the method comprising:
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determining a model of the entire network, the model indicating the connections between all sub-networks, and representing each sub-network as a single unit; calculating a route between the sub-networks containing the first and second nodes using the model; and passing the signals along the determined route, and determining the route between nodes within each sub-network locally within the respective sub-network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer-readable medium embodying executable instructions for use in defining a route between first and second network nodes in a SONET/SDH network, the network comprising at least a top level sub-network and one or more further levels of sub-networks, at least one of the further levels comprising two or more separate sub-networks, and each of the sub-networks comprising two or more network nodes, with sub-networks in the levels being coupled to sub-networks in adjacent levels by shared network nodes, the first and second nodes not being part of the same sub-network, the instructions causing generation of a data structure defining the network, the data structure comprising a model of the entire network, the model indicating the connections between all sub-networks, and representing each sub-network as a singe unit, the instructions further causing calculation of a route between the sub-networks containing the first and second nodes using the model;
- and the instructions further resulting in generation of a label for attachment to a signal for transmission, the label defining the determined route.
- View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
- 11. A SONET/SDH network comprising at least a top level sub-network and one or more further levels of sub-networks, at least one of the further levels comprising two or more separate sub-networks, and each of the sub-networks comprising two or more networks nodes, with sub-networks in the levels being coupled to sub-networks in adjacent levels by shared network nodes, the network nodes each storing a model of the entire network, the model indicating the connections between all sub-networks, and representing each sub-network as a single unit, each node further comprising means for calculating a route between sub-networks containing first and second nodes using the model, the first and second nodes not being part of the same sub-network, and wherein each node is provided within a respective sub-network of the network and further comprises means for determining a route between nodes within said sub-network locally within the respective sub-networks.
Specification