Method and apparatus for configuring a network topology with alternative communication paths
First Claim
1. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising computer instructions to:
- identify a logical tree topology of network elements in a communication system for voice communications, wherein the logical tree topology comprises a root node and a plurality of leaf nodes;
identify existing lateral and vertical communication paths between each of the plurality of leaf nodes;
identify a desired number of alternative paths between each of the plurality of leaf nodes and the root node;
identify cost attributes for adding at least one among lateral and vertical communication paths to each of the plurality of leaf nodes; and
determine a configuration of additional lateral and vertical communication paths superimposed on a portion of the plurality of leaf nodes that achieves a desired cost objective according to the existing lateral and vertical communication paths, and the desired number of alternative paths and associated cost attributes,wherein the communication system supports data communications in the form of Internet Protocol Television communications, and wherein the root node comprises a central office, and wherein the plurality of leaf nodes comprises at least one among a corresponding plurality of gateways and distribution systems,wherein each gateway comprises a residential gateway, and wherein each distribution system comprises at least one among a service area interface (SAI), an optical network unit (ONU), and a routing terminal, andwherein the associated cost attributes are supplied by a service provider of the communication system and comprise two or more of a cost of configuring WiFi access points at a residence to establish lateral communication paths between residences, a cost of adding a wireless interface to the SAI, a cost of laying out additional cables between the central office and the SAI and the SAI and the residences, or a cost of utilizing bandwidth in a wireless station as a vertical communication path to the central office.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for configuring a network topology with alternative communication paths. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network management system (NMS) having a network identification element that identifies a tree topology of network elements in a communication system comprising a root node and a plurality of leaf nodes, a network configuration element that specifies a desired number of alternative communication paths between each of the plurality of leaf nodes and the root node, and a network restructuring element that determines a configuration of additional lateral and vertical communication paths superimposed on a portion of the plurality of leaf nodes that achieves a desired cost objective according to the desired number of alternative paths and associated cost attributes. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
13 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising computer instructions to:
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identify a logical tree topology of network elements in a communication system for voice communications, wherein the logical tree topology comprises a root node and a plurality of leaf nodes; identify existing lateral and vertical communication paths between each of the plurality of leaf nodes; identify a desired number of alternative paths between each of the plurality of leaf nodes and the root node; identify cost attributes for adding at least one among lateral and vertical communication paths to each of the plurality of leaf nodes; and determine a configuration of additional lateral and vertical communication paths superimposed on a portion of the plurality of leaf nodes that achieves a desired cost objective according to the existing lateral and vertical communication paths, and the desired number of alternative paths and associated cost attributes, wherein the communication system supports data communications in the form of Internet Protocol Television communications, and wherein the root node comprises a central office, and wherein the plurality of leaf nodes comprises at least one among a corresponding plurality of gateways and distribution systems, wherein each gateway comprises a residential gateway, and wherein each distribution system comprises at least one among a service area interface (SAI), an optical network unit (ONU), and a routing terminal, and wherein the associated cost attributes are supplied by a service provider of the communication system and comprise two or more of a cost of configuring WiFi access points at a residence to establish lateral communication paths between residences, a cost of adding a wireless interface to the SAI, a cost of laying out additional cables between the central office and the SAI and the SAI and the residences, or a cost of utilizing bandwidth in a wireless station as a vertical communication path to the central office. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising computer instructions to:
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identify a logical tree topology of network elements in a communication system for voice communications, wherein the logical tree topology comprises a root node and a plurality of leaf nodes; identify existing lateral and vertical communication paths between each of the plurality of leaf nodes; identify a cost threshold for adding lateral and vertical communication paths to the plurality of leaf nodes; identify cost attributes for adding at least one among lateral and vertical communication paths to each of the plurality of leaf nodes; and determine a configuration of additional lateral and vertical communication paths superimposed on a portion of the plurality of leaf nodes that achieves a desired reliability objective for increasing a number of alternative paths between each of the plurality of leaf nodes and the root node according to the existing lateral and vertical communication paths, and the identified cost threshold and cost attributes, wherein the communication system supports data communications in the form of at least one of Internet Protocol Television communications and Internet Services, and wherein the root node comprises a central office, and wherein the plurality of leaf nodes comprises at least one among a corresponding plurality of gateways and distribution systems, wherein each gateway comprises a residential gateway, and wherein each distribution system comprises at least one among a service area interface (SAI), an optical network unit (ONU), and a routing terminal, and wherein the cost attributes are supplied by a service provider of the communication system and comprise two or more of a cost of configuring WiFi access points at a residence to establish lateral communication paths between residences, a cost of adding a wireless interface to the SAI, a cost of laying out additional cables between the central office and the SAI and the SAI and the residences, or a cost of utilizing bandwidth in a wireless station as a vertical communication path to the central office. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A network management system (NMS), comprising:
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a network identification element that identifies a tree topology of network elements in a communication system for voice communications, the tree topology comprising a root node and a plurality of leaf nodes; a network configuration element that specifies a desired number of alternative communication paths between each of the plurality of leaf nodes and the root node; and a network restructuring element that determines a configuration of additional lateral and vertical communication paths superimposed on a portion of the plurality of leaf nodes that achieves a desired cost objective according to the desired number of alternative paths and associated cost attributes, wherein the communication system supports data communications in the form of at least one of broadband communications, and wherein the root node comprises a central office, and wherein the plurality of leaf nodes comprises at least one among a residential gateway, a service area interface (SAI), an optical network unit (ONU), and a routing terminal, and wherein the associated cost attributes are supplied by a service provider of the communication system and comprise two or more of a cost of configuring WiFi access points at a residence to establish lateral communication paths between residences, a cost of adding a wireless interface to the SAI, a cost of laying out additional cables between the central office and the SAI and the SAI and the residences, or a cost of utilizing bandwidth in a wireless station as a vertical communication path to the central office. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A network management system (NMS), comprising:
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a network identification element that identifies a tree topology of network elements in a communication system for voice communications, the tree topology comprising a root node and a plurality of leaf nodes; a network configuration element that specifies a cost threshold for adding lateral and vertical communication paths to each of the plurality of leaf nodes; and a network restructuring element that determines a configuration of additional lateral and vertical communication paths superimposed on a portion of the plurality of leaf nodes that achieves a desired reliability objective for increasing a number of alternative paths between each of the plurality of leaf nodes and the root node according to the identified cost threshold and cost attributes associated with adding lateral and vertical communication paths to the plurality of leaf nodes, wherein the communication system supports data communications in the form of at least one of Internet Protocol Television communications and Internet Services, and wherein the root node comprises a central office, and wherein the plurality of leaf nodes comprises at least one among a residential gateway, a service area interface (SAI), an optical network unit (ONU), and a routing terminal, and wherein the cost attributes are supplied by a service provider of the communication system and comprise two or more of a cost of configuring WiFi access points at a residence to establish lateral communication paths between residences, a cost of adding a wireless interface to the SAI, a cost of laying out additional cables between the central office and the SAI and the SAI and the residences, or a cost of utilizing bandwidth in a wireless station as a vertical communication path to the central office. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. In a system, a method, comprising:
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identifying a tree topology of network elements in a communication system for voice communications, wherein the tree topology comprises a root node and a plurality of leaf nodes; and determining a configuration of lateral and vertical communication paths superimposed on a portion of the plurality of leaf nodes that achieves at least one among a desired cost objective according to a desired number of alternative paths and cost attributes associated with adding lateral and vertical communication paths to the plurality of leaf nodes, and a desired reliability objective for increasing a number of alternative paths between each of the plurality of leaf nodes and the root node according to a cost threshold for adding lateral and vertical communication paths to the plurality of leaf nodes, and the cost attributes, wherein the communication system supports data communications in the form of at least one of Internet Protocol Television communications and Internet Services, and wherein the root node comprises a central office, and wherein the plurality of leaf nodes comprises at least one among a residential gateway, a service area interface (SAI), an optical network unit (ONU), and a routing terminal, and wherein the cost attributes are supplied by a service provider of the communication system and comprise two or more of a cost of configuring WiFi access points at a residence to establish lateral communication paths between residences, a cost of adding a wireless interface to the SAI, a cost of laying out additional cables between the central office and the SAI and the SAI and the residences, or a cost of utilizing bandwidth in a wireless station as a vertical communication path to the central office. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification