Method and apparatus for supporting connection type partitioning in a communications network

a communication network and connection type technology, applied in the field of communication systems, can solve the problems of reducing the overall network performance, inefficient routing, and reducing some of the benefits gained

US20060268735A1Inactive Publication Date: 2006-11-30ALCATEL LUCENT CANADA
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2006-11-30
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for communicating and utilizing link connection type characteristics in a communications network begins by determining the connection type characteristics for a link within the network. The connection type characteristics preferably include the partitioning of the available bandwidth of the link. The connection type characteristics for the link are advertised to at least one node in the network. The connection type characteristics are then used to perform network functions such as selecting routing paths for new connections. When a change occurs in the link that results in altered connection type characteristics for the link, the altered connection type characteristics are determined and advertised in a similar manner.
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Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 293,297, filed 04-16-1999, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,012,892 on 03-14-2006.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] (1) Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates generally to communication systems and more particularly to supporting connection type partitioning in communication networks.

[0004] (2) Description of the Related Art

[0005] Communication between a calling party and a called party may be established over a communications network. Different types of connections, or calls, can exist in some communication networks. These different types of connections include permanent-type connections that generally ensure a calling party immediate communication access to the called party since the connection is permanently established, and switched-type connections, where the calling party attempting to reach the called party has no guarantee that a connection wi...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0017] Generally, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for communicating and utilizing link connection type characteristics in a communications network. The connection type or other partitioning characteristics for a link within the network are first determined, where the connection type characteristics can include the partitioning of the available bandwidth of the link between switched virtual connections (SVCs) and soft permanent virtual connections (SPVCs). In other embodiments, the partitioning may be based one user partitioning, priority partitioning, or other forms of partitioning bandwidth across links in the network. The connection type or other partitioning characteristics for the link are advertised to at least one node in the network, and are preferably relayed to additional nodes within the network. The relayed characteristics are used to perform network functions such as selecting routing paths for new connections. When a change occurs in the link that ...