Bandwidth defragmentation systems and methods in optical networks
First Claim
1. A network, comprising:
- a plurality of nodes;
a plurality of links interconnecting the plurality of nodes, wherein the plurality of links comprise a bandwidth hierarchy;
a signaling and routing protocol operated between the plurality of nodes and configured to establish bandwidth connections over the plurality of links between the plurality of nodes; and
a bandwidth defragmentation algorithm utilized within the signaling and routing protocol to optimize the bandwidth hierarchy on the plurality of links;
wherein the bandwidth defragmentation algorithm utilizes and compares a relative fragmentation cost metric for each of the plurality of links after an administrative weight for each of the plurality of links has been utilized and compared by a path selection algorithm; and
wherein the relative fragmentation cost metric quantifies bandwidth fragmentation for each of the plurality of links on a weighted per link basis.
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Abstract
The present disclosure provides bandwidth defragmentation systems and methods in optical networks such as Optical Transport Network (OTN), Synchronous Optical Network (SONET), Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH), Ethernet, and the like. In particular, the present invention includes bandwidth defragmentation algorithms that may be used within the context of a signaling and routing protocol to avoid bandwidth defragmentation. As such, the present invention defines a mechanism for computing an end to end path for a connection in a manner that avoids bandwidth fragmentation and provides for better network utilization. For example, the present invention may include a path computation based upon administrative weight and upon fragmentation costs. This may be implemented in existing signaling and routing protocols without changes to existing protocol messages used in topology discovery. Further, the present invention optimizes available bandwidth allowing a higher probability of higher bandwidth request being admitted.
51 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A network, comprising:
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a plurality of nodes; a plurality of links interconnecting the plurality of nodes, wherein the plurality of links comprise a bandwidth hierarchy; a signaling and routing protocol operated between the plurality of nodes and configured to establish bandwidth connections over the plurality of links between the plurality of nodes; and a bandwidth defragmentation algorithm utilized within the signaling and routing protocol to optimize the bandwidth hierarchy on the plurality of links; wherein the bandwidth defragmentation algorithm utilizes and compares a relative fragmentation cost metric for each of the plurality of links after an administrative weight for each of the plurality of links has been utilized and compared by a path selection algorithm; and wherein the relative fragmentation cost metric quantifies bandwidth fragmentation for each of the plurality of links on a weighted per link basis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A network element, comprising:
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one or more line modules comprising ingress and egress to a plurality of links in a network; a control module communicatively coupled to the one or more line modules, wherein the control module is configured to operate a signaling and routing protocol to establish bandwidth connections via the one or more line modules over the plurality of links, and wherein the control module is configured to; maintain a fragmentation cost of all links in the network; responsive to a bandwidth request, determine a path through the network for the bandwidth request based upon a path selection algorithm; and utilize the fragmentation cost subsequent to the path selection algorithm based upon a bandwidth defragmentation algorithm; wherein the fragmentation cost quantifies bandwidth fragmentation for the plurality of links on a weighted per link basis. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A network operating method with bandwidth defragmentation, comprising:
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operating a plurality of nodes interconnected by a plurality of links with a signaling and routing protocol; maintaining a relative fragmentation cost metric for each of the plurality of links, wherein the relative metric defines fragmentation on each of the plurality of links based upon a bandwidth hierarchy; selecting a path for a bandwidth connection based upon parameters associated with the plurality of links including the relative fragmentation cost metric; and updating the relative fragmentation cost metric for each of the plurality of links based upon the selected path for the bandwidth connection; wherein the relative fragmentation cost metric for each of the plurality of links is utilized and compared after an administrative weight for each of the plurality of links has been utilized and compared; and wherein the relative fragmentation cost metric quantifies bandwidth fragmentation for each of the plurality of links on a weighted per link basis. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification