Method for providing topology awareness information within an IP network
First Claim
1. A method for providing topology awareness information within an IP network, said IP network comprising a central node of a topology awareness system that stores and processes topology information, said central node connected to at least one topology awareness unit that is implemented in a network node within said IP network, said topology awareness unit comprising functionality of a topology awareness system interface, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
- transmitting a registration message from one of the topology awareness units implemented within the network node to the central node;
adding an identity of said topology awareness unit to a list of known units at the central node; and
transmitting a response message from the central node to the topology awareness unit, wherein said response message has a capability to order the topology awareness unit to;
keep a current relation with the central node, if the current relation between the topology awareness unit and the central node is accepted;
aggregate network topology information, if the central node determines that the topology awareness unit is to be used as an aggregation point; and
redirect reporting of the network topology information to a previous aggregation point identified in the response message, if there exists a suitable aggregation point, the redirect response message causing the current relation between the topology awareness unit and the central node to be torn down and a new relation to be established between the topology awareness unit and the previous aggregation point.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method, a unit and a computer program product for providing topology awareness information within an IP network includes a central node and a plurality of routers, wherein the probe is implemented in a router within the IP network and the probe belongs to a topology awareness system, that includes: elements for obtaining and maintaining relationship with other probes within the IP network, elements for collecting information about other network elements e.g. routers and switches, elements for communicating topology information with the central node of the topology awareness system, and elements for obtaining information concerning local resources on the router where the probe is implemented.
21 Citations
27 Claims
-
1. A method for providing topology awareness information within an IP network, said IP network comprising a central node of a topology awareness system that stores and processes topology information, said central node connected to at least one topology awareness unit that is implemented in a network node within said IP network, said topology awareness unit comprising functionality of a topology awareness system interface, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
-
transmitting a registration message from one of the topology awareness units implemented within the network node to the central node; adding an identity of said topology awareness unit to a list of known units at the central node; and transmitting a response message from the central node to the topology awareness unit, wherein said response message has a capability to order the topology awareness unit to; keep a current relation with the central node, if the current relation between the topology awareness unit and the central node is accepted; aggregate network topology information, if the central node determines that the topology awareness unit is to be used as an aggregation point; and redirect reporting of the network topology information to a previous aggregation point identified in the response message, if there exists a suitable aggregation point, the redirect response message causing the current relation between the topology awareness unit and the central node to be torn down and a new relation to be established between the topology awareness unit and the previous aggregation point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27)
-
-
23. A topology awareness unit for providing topology awareness information within an IP network, the topology awareness unit implemented within a network node in the IP network and belonging to a topology awareness system that comprises additional topology awareness units and a central node, wherein said topology awareness unit comprises functionality of a topology awareness system interface, including:
-
means for transmitting a registration message to the central node; and means for receiving a response message from the central node, wherein said response message has a capability to order the topology awareness unit to; keep a current relation with the central node, if the current relation between the topology awareness unit and the central node is accepted; aggregate network topology information, if the central node determines that the topology awareness unit is to be used as an aggregation point; and redirect reporting of network topology information to a previous aggregation point identified in the response message, if there exists a suitable aggregation point, the redirect response message causing the current relation between the topology awareness unit and the central node to be torn down and a new relation to be established between the topology awareness unit and the previous aggregation point. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
-
Specification