Multipath Routing Link Selection for Low-Quality Path Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load-balancing technologies fail to effectively distribute network traffic across multiple paths based on link quality, leading to potential interruptions and reduced transmission quality due to equipment failures or low-quality links.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes a link selector and link analyzer to assess link quality based on parameters like Bit Error Rate (BER) and Digital Optical Monitoring (DOM) information, selecting optimal network links to minimize disruptions and ensure efficient traffic distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If load-balancing distributes network traffic across multiple paths, then network performance is improved, but transmission reliability deteriorates due to potential interruptions from low-quality links or equipment failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of link quality parameters (such as BER, DOM information) before selecting network links for data transmission. This advance evaluation ensures that only high-quality links are chosen, preventing transmission failures before they occur while still enabling load distribution across multiple pre-validated paths
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors link quality parameters and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust path selection. By incorporating real-time quality assessments into the load-balancing decision-making process, the system can redirect traffic away from degrading links while maintaining distribution across healthy paths, thus preserving both performance and reliability
2Reliability
If network traffic is concentrated on single path, then transmission reliability is maintained, but network performance deteriorates due to lack of load distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different selection criteria to different network links based on their individual quality characteristics. Instead of treating all paths uniformly, it evaluates each link's specific quality parameters (BER, DOM) and assigns traffic accordingly, allowing high-quality links to carry more traffic while maintaining overall reliability through selective distribution
3Reliability
If link quality assessment is performed, then transmission failures are reduced, but system complexity increases due to additional monitoring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages existing link infrastructure to provide self-assessment of quality parameters. By utilizing already-available information such as BER counters and DOM data that are inherently generated by network equipment, the system avoids adding complex external monitoring apparatus while still achieving comprehensive link quality evaluation for reliable path selection
Data Source
AI summary
In various examples, one or more network links for transmitting data in a network may be selected based at least in part on a quality associated with the one or more network links. Link quality information associated with a plurality of links may be accessed and analyzed to determine which links to use for transmitting data. Link quality may be evaluated in combination with other link attributes to proactively select network links to minimize network disruption in the event of network equipment failure.