Core network optimization of topology and technology for traffic handling

• US 6,631,128 B1
• Filed: 05/27/1999
• Issued: 10/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Lemieux, Yves
• Primary Examiner(s): Ton, Dang
• Assistant Examiner(s): Phan, Tri H.
• Application Number:
  US09/321,150
• Time in Patent Office: 1,594 Days
• Field of Search: 370/232, 370/229, 370/230, 370/252, 370/351, 370/389, 370/465, 370/466, 370/469, 370/400, 370/401, 370/403, 370/335, 370/356, 370/392, 370/402, 370/449, 370/395.2, 370/395.31, 370/395.32, 370/395.5, 370/405, 370/406, 370/408, 709/220
• US Class Current: 370/351
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5601 Transfer mode dependent, e.g. ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0816 the condition being an adaptation, e.g. in response to network events
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/085 Retrieval of network configuration; Tracking network configuration history
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/602 Multilayer or multiprotocol switching, e.g. IP switching
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/06 Optimizing the usage of the radio link, e.g. header compression, information sizing , discarding information system modifying transmission characteristic according to link quality by modifying frame length H04L1/0007; dynamic adaptation of the packet size for flow control or congestion control H04L47/365
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/14 Backbone network devices

Abstract

Routing nodes that are interconnected within a communications network are not configured to utilize a single type of switching technology in the context of a single type of networking topology. Responsive to data input and the operation of an expert system, the routing nodes are configured to implement a certain switching technology type and networking technology type, and thus optimize portions of the communications network to handle different types of traffic. Traffic of the various different types may then be efficiently handled through the network by its correspondingly optimized portion.

Claims

1. A core communications network, comprising:

a plurality of cell switched routers interconnected in at least a partially meshed configuration;

a plurality of edge routers connected to certain ones of the plurality of cell switched routers and supporting edge connection outside the core communications network;

wherein the cell switched routers and edge routers support utilization of any selected one of a plurality of switching technologies in the context of any selected one of a plurality of networking topologies; and

a functionality for dynamically selecting a switching technology for utilization by each cell switched router and edge router and for selecting a networking topology for connecting the plurality of cell switched routers and edge routers in order to optimize operation of the core communications network.

2. The communications network as in claim 1:

wherein the plurality of switching technologies supported at each cell switched router and edge router include at least two of the following;

frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode, and ethernet; and

wherein the plurality of networking topologies supported for connecting the cell switched routers and edge routers include at least two of the following;

linear, star, mesh, ring and tree.

3. The communications network as in claim 1 wherein the functionality comprises an expert system to select switching technology and networking topology.

4. The communications network as in claim 1:

wherein each cell switched router and edge router stores a plurality of object oriented design templates concerning traffic, technology and topology; and

wherein the functionality invokes operations associated with selected templates in selecting a switching technology for utilization by each cell switched router and edge router and selecting a networking topology for connecting the plurality of cell switched routers and edge routers in order to implement a desired optimization of the communications network.

5. A cellular communications system, comprising:

a mobile switching center;

a plurality of base stations, each supporting air interface communications with mobile stations; and

a core communications network for interconnecting the mobile switching center to the plurality of base stations, the core communications network comprising;

a plurality of cell switched routers interconnected in at least a partially meshed configuration;

a plurality of edge routers connected to certain ones of the plurality of cell switched routers and supporting edge connection to the plurality of base stations and the mobile switching center;

wherein the cell switched routers and edge routers support utilization of any selected one of a plurality of switching technologies in the context of any selected one of a plurality of networking topologies; and

a functionality for dynamically selecting a switching technology for utilization by each cell switched router and edge router and for selecting a networking topology for connecting the plurality of cell switched routers and edge routers in order to optimize operation of the core communications network.

6. The cellular communications system as in claim 5:

wherein the plurality of switching technologies supported at each cell switched router and edge router include at least two of the following;

frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode, and ethernet; and

wherein the plurality of networking topologies supported for connecting the cell switched routers and edge routers include at least two of the following;

linear, star, mesh, ring and tree.

7. The cellular communications system as in claim 5 wherein the functionality comprises an expert system to select switching technology and networking topology.

8. The cellular communications system as in claim 5:

wherein each cell switched router and edge router stores a plurality of object oriented design templates concerning traffic, technology and topology; and

wherein the functionality invokes operations associated with selected templates in selecting a switching technology for utilization by each cell switched router and edge router and selecting a networking topology for connecting the plurality of cell switched routers and edge routers in order to implement a desired optimization of the communications network.

9. A method for optimizing a core communications network including a plurality of cell switched routers interconnected in at least a partially meshed configuration, and a plurality of edge routers connected to certain ones of the plurality of cell switched routers and supporting edge connection outside the core communications network, wherein the cell switched routers and edge routers support utilization of any selected one of a plurality of switching technologies in the context of any selected one of a plurality of networking topologies, the method comprising the steps of:

verifying the presence of cell switched routers and edge routers within the core communications network;

validating the present cell switched routers and edge routers;

invoking operations within a sub-set of the cell switched routers and edge routers to select an optimal switching technology and networking topology;

placing the sub-set of the cell switched routers and edge routers into a test mode to confirm optimal configuration; and

propagating the operations to other cell switched routers and edge routers outside the sub-set if optimal configuration is confirmed.

10. The method as in claim 9 wherein the recited method is performed periodically to dynamically optimize core communications network configuration.

11. The method as in claim 9 wherein the recited method is performed sporadically to dynamically optimize core communications network configuration.

12. The method as in claim 9 further including the step of:

partitioning the core communications network into a plurality of sub-networks;

wherein the recited method is performed for each sub-network to optimize its sub-network configuration.

13. A method for optimizing a core communications network including a plurality of cell switched routers interconnected in at least a partially meshed configuration, and a plurality of edge routers connected to certain ones of the plurality of cell switched routers and supporting edge connection outside the core communications network, wherein the cell switched routers and edge routers support utilization of any selected one of a plurality of switching technologies in the context of any selected one of a plurality of networking topologies, the method comprising the steps of:

collecting knowledge base information concerning network operation;

inferencing from the collected knowledge base information a preferred switching technology and networking topology that would optimize network configuration; and

implementing the preferred switching technology and networking topology at certain implicated cell switched routers and edge routers to optimize network configuration.

14. The method as in claim 13 further including the step of:

partitioning the core communications network into a plurality of sub-networks;

wherein the recited method is performed for each sub-network to optimize its sub-network configuration, and the certain implicated cell switched routers and edge routers comprise those routers within each respective sub-network.

15. The method as in claim 13 wherein the step of implementing comprises the steps of:

invoking operations within a sub-set of the cell switched routers and edge routers to select the preferred switching technology and networking topology;

placing the sub-set of the cell switched routers and edge routers into a test mode to confirm optimal configuration; and

propagating the operations to other cell switched routers and edge routers outside the sub-set if optimal configuration is confirmed.

16. The method as in claim 13 wherein the recited method is performed periodically to dynamically optimize core communications network configuration.

17. The method as in claim 13 wherein the recited method is performed sporadically to dynamically optimize core communications network configuration.