Centralized Controller for Multi-Layer Network Path Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer networks require coordination between different administrative entities for setting up and managing optical and MPLS paths, leading to delays and inefficiencies in resource allocation and network management.
Innovation Solution
A centralized controller manages end-to-end network path setup across multiple layers, performing path computation and allocation for both optical and IP/MPLS paths, allowing for dynamic setup and teardown of paths as needed, thereby optimizing resource utilization and reducing administrative overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate network administrative entities manage optical and MPLS paths independently, then each entity can optimize its own layer, but coordination delays and additional resources are required for end-to-end path setup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the optical network controller and MPLS network controller into a single centralized controller that manages both network layers. This unified controller eliminates the need for inter-controller coordination and resource allocation requests between separate entities, thereby reducing path setup time while maintaining the reliability of multi-layer path establishment through integrated control of both optical transport paths and MPLS label switched paths
2Reliability
If optical paths are pre-established to ensure availability, then path reliability is improved, but network resources are wasted when paths are not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic path provisioning where the centralized controller establishes optical paths and MPLS paths on-demand based on actual network traffic requirements. Rather than pre-establishing paths, the controller dynamically creates paths when connectivity is needed and tears them down when no longer required, optimizing energy consumption while ensuring path availability when needed through automated resource allocation
3Ease of manufacture
If manual coordination between network administrative entities is used, then detailed control over each layer is achieved, but administrative overhead and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated path provisioning where the centralized controller autonomously performs end-to-end path setup across optical and MPLS layers without requiring manual intervention from network administrators. The controller automatically computes paths, allocates resources, configures network elements, and tears down paths when needed, thereby reducing administrative overhead and operational complexity while maintaining detailed control over network configuration through automated decision-making algorithms
Data Source
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AI summary
A centralized controller provides dynamic end-to-end network path setup across multiple network layers. In particular, the centralized controller manages end-to-end network path setup that provisions a path at both the transport network layer (e.g., optical) and the service network layer (e.g., IP/MPLS). The centralized controller performs path computation for an optical path at the transport network layer and for a path at the service network layer that transports network traffic on the underlying optical transport path, based on information obtained by the centralized controller from the underlying network components at both layers.