Distributed intelligence MAC protocols for DWDM ring networks

Abstract

A metropolitan access network (10) uses a variation of a MAC protocol, where each station (14) on a ring (12) is associated with one or more time slot (30). Each slot carries information regarding the associated station, basic connection fields (32), communications fields (34), and quality of service fields (36). Each station maintains its own local database regarding the status of the network (10) by reading the information in each time slot (30).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of copending provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 264,113, filed Jan. 25, 2001, entitled “Distributed Intelligence MAC Protocols for DWDM Ring Networks” to Tancevski.STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] 1. Technical Field [0004] This invention relates in general to networks and, more particularly, to metropolitan networks. [0005] 2. Description of the Related Art [0006]FIG. 1 illustrates a basic block diagram of a metropolitan access network 10 using a DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) ring 12 and a MAC (medium access control) protocol. A plurality of stations 14 are coupled to the DWDM ring 12. The stations 14 may be coupled to other networks, such as local area networks and wide area networks, as well. In the illustrated embodiment, Station1 and Station2 are coupled to LANs (local area net...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] The present invention provides significant advantages over the prior art. Connections between devices on the network can be set up and broken down faster. Further, the control information can include information related to quality of service.

Problems solved by technology

Furthermore, the tokens 26 do not provide for an associated expiration of service, so a greedy application can consume substantial portion of the bandwidth.

Finally, the round-trip time of a token, stemming from the fact that a station has to wait up to a full round-trip to sense an empty token 26, can pose significant delays, especially as the network diameter increases.

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