Client-Link SRLG Analysis for Network Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communications networks face challenges in reliably forwarding packets when the topology changes, particularly when server-layer resources associated with a Shared Risk Link Group (SRLG) become unavailable, leading to potential client-layer network connectivity loss.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for maintaining client-layer topology information, including server-layer SRLG information, to identify alternative client-layer paths between packet switching devices, by determining if alternative paths exist using client-layer links and nodes not associated with unavailable server-layer SRLGs, and logging or generating alarms for potential connectivity loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If packet switching technology is used to increase network speed and capacity, then network performance improves, but network reliability deteriorates when topology changes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs SRLG analysis and identifies alternative paths before actual failures occur. The system proactively computes backup paths and maintains topology information so that when a failure happens, switching to an alternative path can occur immediately without waiting for failure detection and route recalculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares compensatory measures in advance by identifying multiple diverse paths that are not subject to the same SRLGs. These alternative paths act as a cushion or backup that is already in place and can be activated when the primary path fails, preventing connectivity loss rather than just responding to it.
2Reliability
If alternative paths are pre-calculated for all possible failures, then network reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into Shared Risk Link Groups (SRLGs), which are groups of links that share a common risk factor. By organizing topology information around SRLGs rather than individual links, the system can efficiently identify which alternative paths are valid without analyzing every possible single-link failure scenario separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal SRLG analysis mechanism that serves multiple purposes: it identifies alternative paths for reliability, provides topology information for routing decisions, and enables proactive failure detection. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single framework.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a particular device within a client-layer network maintains client-layer topology information including server-layer Shared Risk Link Group (SRLG) information of server-layer devices and links in a server-layer network associated with client-layer links and client-layer nodes in the client-layer network. A determination is made to discover if there is an alternative client-layer path to an established client-layer path between a first packet switching device and a second packet switching device if all server-layer resources of any particular server-layer SRLG of a plurality of total server-layer SRLGs associated with the established client-layer path become unavailable. In one embodiment, the plurality of total server-layer SRLGs includes: an SRLG of a same optical node, an SRLG of a same optical fiber, an SRLG of co-located plurality of optical nodes, and/or an SRLG of co-located plurality of optical fibers.