Distributed Optical Circuit Allocation in Data-Center Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical network management systems face challenges in efficiently allocating data paths due to central bottlenecks, high latency, and complex algorithms required for dense resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
A distributed method for allocating data paths in optical networks, where multiple processors associated with optical switches send queries to configure optical switches and reserve optical channels along candidate circuits, identifying a successful optical circuit for path establishment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a centralized management system is used for optical network path allocation, then resource utilization can be optimized through global view, but the system suffers from high latency and central bottlenecks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized path allocation system into distributed autonomous agents deployed at each optical switch. Each agent independently manages path allocation for its local switch, eliminating the central bottleneck. The segmentation transforms a single-point-of-failure centralized system into a resilient distributed system where each node operates autonomously while maintaining network-wide coordination through peer-to-peer communication.
2Loss of time
If distributed allocation is implemented, then latency is reduced and bottlenecks eliminated, but resource utilization efficiency may decrease without centralized optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having autonomous agents continuously monitor and pre-reserve optical channel availability along potential paths before actual traffic demands arise. When a path allocation request is received, agents can quickly determine availability using pre-computed information, significantly reducing allocation latency while maintaining high resource utilization through proactive resource preparation and reservation.
3Quantity of substance
If complex algorithms are used for dense resource utilization, then network capacity is maximized, but system complexity and computational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling each autonomous agent to independently manage its own switch's resource allocation without requiring complex centralized algorithms. Each agent uses simple local decision-making rules and communicates with neighboring agents to coordinate resource usage. This distributed self-service approach maximizes network capacity through emergent coordination while keeping individual agent algorithms simple and computationally efficient.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for distributed allocation of data paths in an optical network (100) including optical switches (30, 32, 130) connected by optical links (44, 140), includes receiving a request for a data path for connecting a source node (10) and a destination node (20). In in response to the request, one or more queries are sent, the queries corresponding to one or more candidate optical circuits that connect the source node and the destination node, the queries requesting one or more processors (230) to configure the optical switches along the candidate optical circuits to reserve optical channels on the optical links of the candidate optical circuits for the requested data path. An optical circuit is identified from among the candidate optical circuits, in which all the optical channels for the requested data path have been reserved successfully. The requested data path is established over the identified optical circuit.