Utilizing bandwidth in ring network using path cost and protection techniques
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- routing data on a data path between nodes of a network, the network including a first ring having first links transmitting data in a first direction around the first ring and including a second ring having second links transmitting data in a second direction around the second ring opposite to the first direction, wherein the data path is provided on the first ring or on the second ring to follow a first lowest-cost path from a source node to a destination node;
in response to detecting a change in at least one link in the first lowest-cost path, determining a second different lowest-cost path on the first ring or on the second ring from the source node to the destination node, the second lowest-cost path having a lower transmission cost than the first lowest-cost path after the change in the at least one link; and
re-routing the data path to the second lowest-cost path.
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Abstract
The disclosed network includes two rings, wherein a first ring transmits data in a clockwise direction, and the other ring transmits data in a counterclockwise direction. The traffic is removed from the ring by the destination node. During normal operations (i.e., all spans operational), data between nodes can flow on either ring. Thus, both rings are fully utilized during normal operations. The nodes periodically test the bit error rate of the links (or the error rate is constantly calculated) to detect a fault in one of the links. The detection of such a fault sends a broadcast signal to all nodes to reconfigure a routing table within the node so as to identify the optimum routing of source traffic to the destination node after the fault.
94 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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routing data on a data path between nodes of a network, the network including a first ring having first links transmitting data in a first direction around the first ring and including a second ring having second links transmitting data in a second direction around the second ring opposite to the first direction, wherein the data path is provided on the first ring or on the second ring to follow a first lowest-cost path from a source node to a destination node; in response to detecting a change in at least one link in the first lowest-cost path, determining a second different lowest-cost path on the first ring or on the second ring from the source node to the destination node, the second lowest-cost path having a lower transmission cost than the first lowest-cost path after the change in the at least one link; and re-routing the data path to the second lowest-cost path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A communications network comprising:
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communication links; a plurality of nodes interconnected by the communication links, at least some of the nodes being connected by the links in a first ring having first links transmitting data in a first direction around the first ring and in a second ring having second links transmitting data in a second direction around the second ring opposite to the first direction; and one or more processors that control the nodes for; routing data on a data path provided on the first ring or on the second ring to follow a first lowest-cost path from a source node to a destination node; in response to detecting a change in at least one link in the first lowest-cost path, determining a second different lowest-cost path on the first ring or on the second ring from the source node to the destination node, the second lowest-cost path having a lower transmission cost than the first lowest-cost path after the change in the at least one link; and re-routing the data path to the second lowest-cost path. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A routing switch comprising:
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one or more transceivers for being connected to associated links to one or more other routing switches in neighboring nodes, at least some of the nodes being connected in a first ring having first links transmitting data in a first direction around the first ring and in a second ring having second links transmitting data in a second direction around the second ring opposite to the first direction; a switch fabric for routing information to and from said one or more transceivers; and one or more processors that control the routing switch for; routing data on a data path provided on the first ring or on the second ring to follow a first lowest-cost path from a source node to a destination node; in response to detecting a change in at least one link in the first lowest-cost path, determining a second different lowest-cost path on the first ring or on the second ring from the source node to the destination node, the second lowest-cost path having a lower transmission cost than the first lowest-cost path after the change in the at least one link; and re-routing the data path to the second lowest-cost path. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification