Distributed Digital Cross-Connect Provisioning in Packet Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packet-based communication networks require significant administrative effort to establish and manage connections between gateways and routers, leading to increased workload for network administrators.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for provisioning connections as a distributed digital cross-connect in a packet network, which involves determining the association of routers with paths and establishing connections between gateways and routers, allowing for pre-establishment of connections when new gateways are added, thereby reducing the administrative burden.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual provisioning of connections between gateways and routers is performed, then connection establishment is achieved, but administrative workload increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The network management system automatically detects new gateways, determines their types, and provisions appropriate connections without human intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously making decisions about connection provisioning based on gateway characteristics and network topology requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-provisions connections when new gateways are detected and added to the network. By performing connection establishment in advance rather than on-demand, the system reduces subsequent administrative workload and enables faster path creation when needed.
2Loss of time
If connections are provisioned manually, then connection accuracy is maintained, but path creation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Connections are pre-established between gateways and routers when gateways are added to the network. This preliminary provisioning eliminates the need for time-consuming connection establishment during path creation operations, significantly reducing path creation time while maintaining accuracy through automated validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The network management system continuously monitors the network topology, detects when new gateways are added, and automatically updates connection provisioning accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the provisioning information remains accurate and current without manual intervention.
3Extent of automation
If automated gateway detection and connection provisioning is implemented, then administrative burden is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated provisioning system is divided into distinct functional modules: gateway detection module, gateway type determination module, connection provisioning module, and topology update module. Each module handles a specific aspect of the automation process, making the overall system more manageable and maintainable despite the increased automation level.
Solution Approach 2:
The network management system acts as an intermediary between the network infrastructure and the provisioning process. It mediates between detected gateways and the connection establishment requirements, abstracting the complexity of automated provisioning while presenting a simplified interface for path creation operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving a request to provision a path associated with at least a portion of a packet network and determining whether a router is associated with the path in the packet network. The method also includes provisioning a first connection between a first gateway and a second gateway when the router is not associated with the path. The method further includes provisioning a second connection between the first gateway and the router and a third connection between the router and the second gateway when the router is associated with the path. In addition, the method includes at least one of associating and disassociating a first endpoint of the first gateway and a second endpoint of the second gateway with one or more of the connections.