Centralized Controller for Packet-Optical Network Traffic Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern communication networks face challenges in efficiently managing bandwidth and traffic patterns due to the increasing complexity and diversity of traffic in optical transport systems, particularly in packet-optical transport networks, where existing solutions lack effective wavelength and spectrum assignment mechanisms to balance network traffic and optimize resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
A centralized controller with an analytics engine applies predictive analytics and rule-based policies to dynamically reroute communications and manage optical spectrum and wavelengths across packet-optical transport devices, determining channel group sizes based on bandwidth requirements and assigning wavelengths to balance network traffic, thereby optimizing the allocation and utilization of optical channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a centralized controller dynamically assigns wavelengths and manages optical spectrum for packet-optical transport devices, then network traffic balance and resource utilization are optimized, but system complexity and control overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized controller as an intermediary entity that manages wavelength assignment and optical spectrum allocation for packet-optical transport devices. The controller receives traffic demand information from network devices, computes optimal wavelength assignments using algorithms that consider network topology and traffic patterns, and configures the optical transport devices accordingly. This intermediary controller consolidates the complexity of wavelength management, enabling optimized resource utilization without requiring complex distributed coordination among individual network devices.
2Reliability
If predictive analytics and closed-loop control are implemented to proactively manage traffic, then network performance and reliability are enhanced, but computational requirements and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements predictive analytics that analyze historical traffic patterns, network topology, and device performance data to forecast future traffic demands and potential network issues. The closed-loop control system proactively adjusts wavelength assignments and optical resource allocation in advance of actual traffic demands, rather than reacting to congestion or failures. This preliminary action enables the network to maintain optimal performance and reliability while avoiding the need for time-consuming reactive adjustments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If optical channels are reserved based on bandwidth requirements with unspecified wavelengths, then network agility and adaptability are improved, but spectrum allocation complexity and configuration overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic wavelength assignment where the centralized controller maintains a pool of unspecified wavelengths for reserved optical channels. When traffic demands arise, the controller dynamically selects appropriate wavelengths from the pool based on current network conditions, traffic patterns, and spectral availability. This dynamic approach allows the network to maintain high agility and adaptability to changing traffic requirements while the controller manages the complexity of spectrum allocation through centralized computation and configuration of optical transport devices.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques for providing closed-loop control and predictive analytics in packet-optical networks are described. For example, an integrated centralized controller is described that provides tightly-integrated, closed-loop control over components of a routing / switching network (e.g., IP/MPLS) and also the underling optical transport system, including routing wavelength and spectrum assignment. The controller adaptively and proactively maps packet flows into network resources of a routing / switching network and control, based on the mapping, allocation and utilization of optical spectrum and wavelengths within the optical transport system underlying the routing and switching network.