Network device including dedicated resources control plane
First Claim
1. A telecommunications network device, comprising:
- a plurality of distributed processors;
a data path coupled to the plurality of distributed processors; and
a switched control path independent from said data path coupled to the plurality of distributed processors, wherein separate control path resources are dedicated to each of the plurality of distributed processors, and wherein the separate control path resources prioritize internal and external control information such that the external control information is given a higher priority.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for improving transmission of control information within a network device and between multiple connected network devices. Specifically, a control path is included within a network device that is independent of the data path and dedicates control path resources to each distributed processor within the network device. Dedicating resources insures that each processor has sufficient bandwidth on the control plane to transmit control information at high frequencies. This may prevent starvation of data transmissions during periods of high control information transfers and may also reduce the likelihood or further spreading of control information storms when one or more network devices in a network experiences a failure.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A telecommunications network device, comprising:
- a plurality of distributed processors;
a data path coupled to the plurality of distributed processors; and
a switched control path independent from said data path coupled to the plurality of distributed processors, wherein separate control path resources are dedicated to each of the plurality of distributed processors, and wherein the separate control path resources prioritize internal and external control information such that the external control information is given a higher priority. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- a plurality of distributed processors;
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13. A telecommunications network device, comprising:
- a plurality of distributed processors;
a data path coupled to the plurality of distributed processors; and
a switched control path independent from said data path, including a plurality of control links, wherein at least one of the plurality of control links is coupled with each of the plurality of distributed processors, wherein separate control path resources are dedicated to each of the plurality of distributed processors, and wherein the separate control path resources prioritize internal and external control information such that the external control information is given a higher priority. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
- a plurality of distributed processors;
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16. A telecommunications network, comprising:
- a plurality of network devices, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of network devices each comprise;
a plurality of distributed processors;
a data path coupled to the plurality of distributed processors; and
a switched control path independent from said data path coupled to the plurality of distributed processors, wherein separate control path resources are dedicated to each of the plurality of distributed processors, and wherein the separate control path resources prioritize internal and external control information such that the external control information is given a higher priority. - View Dependent Claims (17)
- a plurality of network devices, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of network devices each comprise;
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18. A telecommunications network, comprising:
- a plurality of network devices, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of network devices each comprise;
a plurality of distributed processors;
a data path coupled to the plurality of distributed processors; and
a switched control path independent from said data path, including a plurality of control links coupled to the plurality of distributed processors, wherein at least one of the plurality of control links is coupled with each of the plurality of distributed processors, wherein separate control path resources are dedicated to each of the plurality of distributed processors, and wherein the separate control path resources prioritize internal and external control information such that the external control information is given a higher priority. - View Dependent Claims (19)
- a plurality of network devices, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of network devices each comprise;
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20. A method of managing a telecommunications network device including a plurality of distributed processors, comprising:
- transmitting network data through a data path within the network device; and
transmitting internal and external control information between the plurality of distributed processors through a switched control path independent from said data path coupled to the plurality of distributed processors, wherein separate control path resources are dedicated to each of the plurality of distributed processors, and wherein the separate control path resources prioritize internal and external control information such that the external control information is given a higher priority. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
- transmitting network data through a data path within the network device; and
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25. A method of managing a telecommunications network device including a plurality of distributed processors, comprising:
- transmitting network data through a data path within the network device; and
transmitting internal and external control information between the plurality of distributed processors through a plurality of control links coupled to the plurality of distributed processors in a switched control path independent from said data path, wherein at least one of the plurality of control links is dedicated to each of the plurality of distributed processors, wherein separate control path resources are dedicated to each of the plurality of distributed processors, and wherein the separate control path resources prioritize internal and external control information such that the external control information is given a higher priority.
- transmitting network data through a data path within the network device; and
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26. A method of managing a telecommunications network including a plurality of network devices, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of network devices each includes a plurality of distributed processors, a data path coupled to the plurality of distributed processors, and a switched control path independent from said data path coupling the plurality of distributed processors, comprising:
- connecting each of the switched control paths in the portion of the plurality of network devices; and
transmitting internal and external control information between the plurality of network devices through the connected switched control paths, wherein separate control path resources are dedicated to each of the plurality of distributed processors, and wherein the separate control path resources prioritize internal and external control information such that the external control information is given a higher priority. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
- connecting each of the switched control paths in the portion of the plurality of network devices; and
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30. A telecommunications network communications device, comprising:
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a plurality of distributed processors; a data path coupled to the plurality of distributed processors, and a switched control path independent from said data path coupled to the plurality of distributed processors, said switched control path providing a dedicated bandwidth to each distributed processor for transmission of internal and external control information, wherein at least one of said distributed processors is coupled to the switched control path through multiple independent ports, wherein separate control path resources are dedicated to each of the plurality of distributed processors, and wherein the separate control path resources prioritize internal and external control information such that the external control information is given a higher priority.
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Specification