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

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.

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...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a method and apparatus for using information about connection type partitioning in a communication network to make intelligent path selection and other network decisions. This allows for efficient routing of calls and avoids attempts to route connections through links that do not support their type. The connection type characteristics of a link can include the partitioning of available bandwidth between switched virtual connections and soft permanent virtual connections, user partitioning, priority partitioning, or other forms of partitioning bandwidth across links in the network. By communicating and utilizing these connection type characteristics within the network, it is possible to route connections in an intelligent manner that avoids attempts to route a connection of a specific connection type through a link that does not support, or have available bandwidth for, that connection type. This improves network performance and reduces the impact of congestion."

Problems solved by technology

Although partitioning bandwidth across a link can ensure that the bandwidth is reserved for a certain connection type, current call routing systems are not equipped to use information regarding partitioning in a network to make more intelligent routing decisions.

In some cases, the routing system may try a number of inappropriate paths before it blindly stumbles upon a path whose partitioning supports the particular connection type.

This inefficient routing reduces some of the benefits gained from link partitioning and degrades overall network performance.

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