Cross-Domain Link Discovery in IP-Optical Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing IP backbone network architecture faces low resource utilization and high operational and maintenance (O&M) costs due to separate planning, operation, and maintenance of IP and optical domains, leading to inefficient service deployment and configuration in cross-domain scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for obtaining a cross-domain link by using a control device to instruct forwarding devices in both IP and optical domains to search for adjacent devices, utilizing protocols like RESTCONF and NETCONF, to establish a mapping relationship between links in the IP and optical domains, thereby enabling efficient cross-domain service configuration without manual planning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cross-domain links are manually planned and configured in advance, then link establishment reliability is improved, but service deployment time and O&M costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having control devices in both IP and optical domains proactively discover and establish cross-domain links before services are deployed. The control devices send discovery messages, receive responses with device identifiers, and pre-establish link mappings, so that when services need to be deployed, the links are already ready and configured.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service through automated discovery and configuration processes. The control devices automatically send discovery messages, receive and process responses from adjacent devices, generate link mappings without human intervention, and configure the cross-domain links autonomously, eliminating the need for manual planning and configuration.
2Manufacturing precision
If cross-domain links are manually planned and configured, then configuration accuracy is improved, but configuration efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control devices automatically perform link discovery, device identification, and mapping generation without manual intervention. The system self-configures cross-domain links by exchanging discovery messages between control devices and adjacent forwarding devices, ensuring accurate configuration while dramatically improving efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback mechanisms where control devices send discovery messages and receive responses containing device identifiers from adjacent devices. This feedback loop allows the system to automatically verify link connectivity and accurately map cross-domain relationships, ensuring configuration accuracy through automated validation.
3Ease of operation
If separate domain planning and operation is maintained, then domain management simplicity is improved, but resource utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling control devices to perform multiple functions: they manage their own domain while simultaneously discovering and managing cross-domain links. The control devices in IP and optical domains both maintain their domain-specific functions and collaboratively establish cross-domain connectivity, allowing a single link to serve multiple domains and purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges separate domain management approaches by having control devices from different domains (IP and optical) collaborate through standardized protocols. The discovery messages and link mappings integrate information from both domains, creating a unified view of cross-domain connectivity that improves resource utilization while maintaining domain autonomy.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application discloses a method for obtaining a cross-domain link. The method includes: sending, by a control device, a first message to a forwarding device in an internet protocol IP domain, where the first message is used to instruct the forwarding device to search for a device that is adjacent to the forwarding device and that is in an optical domain; receiving, by the control device, a second message from an optical network element in the optical domain, where the second message includes a first identifier, a second identifier, and a media access control MAC address of the forwarding device, the first identifier is used to identify the optical network element, the second identifier is used to identify a port that communicates with the forwarding device and that is on the optical network element, and the optical network element is the device that is adjacent to the forwarding device and that is in the optical domain; and obtaining, by the control device, the cross-domain link between the forwarding device and the optical network element based on the first identifier, the second identifier, and the MAC address of the forwarding device.