Autonomous Colored Interface Topology Discovery via Optical Power Sequences
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques face challenges in discovering topology between colored interfaces across routing and optical layers in communications networks, particularly due to the absence of transponders in colored interface communications, lack of dynamic management plane protocol support, and incompatibility with multi-vendor environments, leading to error-prone and non-scalable solutions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a network controller that obtains device and interface information, computes optical power margins, and transmits power sequences to discover topology between colored interfaces across layers, enabling autonomous, in-service mapping without disrupting network operations and supporting multi-vendor equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional discovery mechanisms are used for colored interfaces, then compatibility with existing systems is maintained, but discovery accuracy and reliability deteriorate due to absence of transponders and protocol support
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary discovery mechanism that uses optical power measurement as a mediator to establish cross-layer mappings. Instead of relying on transponders or management plane protocols, the system uses optical power readings from receiver interfaces to infer transmitter interface connections, thereby resolving the reliability issue without adding complex hardware or protocol layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical discovery mechanisms (transponders, protocol snooping) with an optical measurement approach. By substituting the discovery method from electrical signal analysis to optical power measurement, the system achieves reliable colored interface mapping without requiring transponder hardware or complex protocol implementations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If static mapping configurations are used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to dynamic network changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic discovery mechanism that automatically detects and adapts to network configuration changes. Instead of relying on static pre-configured mappings, the system continuously performs optical power measurements and updates cross-layer mappings in real-time, enabling automatic adaptation to network changes without manual reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback loops where optical power measurements from receiver interfaces are continuously monitored and used to update and verify cross-layer mappings. This feedback mechanism ensures that the system automatically detects and adapts to network configuration changes, maintaining accurate mappings dynamically without requiring manual intervention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If protocol snooping methods are used, then discovery capability is maintained, but compatibility with multi-vendor environments deteriorates due to proprietary protocol differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal discovery mechanism based on optical power measurement that works across multi-vendor environments. By using optical power readings as a common denominator that all optical interfaces support, the system achieves vendor-agnostic cross-layer mapping capability, eliminating the need for vendor-specific protocol snooping while maintaining complete interface mapping information.
4Measurement precision
If interface statistics correlation is used, then discovery approach simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates without transponder support
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical power measurement as an intermediary to achieve precise interface mapping. By measuring optical power at receiver interfaces and correlating it with transmitter interface characteristics, the system achieves high-precision mapping without requiring transponders, maintaining measurement precision while avoiding complex transponder hardware.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for accurate, autonomous, and scalable cross-layer discovery of colored interfaces, reducing service downtime and improving network performance by enabling mapping without requiring transponders or proprietary protocols, and supporting dynamic changes in network configurations.
Implementation Method 1
controlling a transmitter interface to transmit a power sequence based on the optical power margins, and obtaining power readings from a receiver interface
Data Source
AI summary
An interface mapping method includes obtaining, at a network controller, device information of network devices configured to be in communication with each other through an optical network. The network devices include a plurality of colored interfaces that support a range of wavelengths for communication in the optical network. Interface information of the colored interfaces of the network devices is obtained, and optical power information associated with each of the colored interfaces is obtained. Optical power margins for a transmitter interface of the colored interfaces. The transmitter interface is controlled to transmit a power sequence based on the optical power margins, and power readings are obtained from a receiver interface of the colored interfaces. A topology between the colored interfaces is discovered based on the power sequence and the power readings.