Distributed Optical Network Management System for End-to-End Fault Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current network management systems lack end-to-end monitoring capabilities for optical transport networks, making it difficult for users to access and manage network properties, leading to limited visibility and increased time and costs in troubleshooting faults.
Innovation Solution
A distributed optical network management system that includes an optical transport network with interconnected elements, an inventory database, and a user database, allowing users to access and manage network services at the wavelength level, with a controller that retrieves and displays network properties to user devices in a user-friendly format.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a monitor remotely monitors the general condition of the optical fiber network from a network element, then network monitoring is implemented, but end-to-end visibility and specific fault location capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light source device and an optical time domain reflectometer as intermediary components that actively inject test signals into the optical network and measure the reflected light. This intermediary approach enables end-to-end monitoring and precise fault location without requiring complex modifications to the existing optical fiber infrastructure, thereby improving network visibility while managing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional passive optical monitoring with active optical testing using light pulses and reflectometry. By substituting mechanical/probe-based monitoring with optical signal-based measurement, the system achieves comprehensive end-to-end visibility and precise fault localization without physical access to fault points, reducing the need for complex manual inspection systems.
2Measurement precision
If OTDR is used to inspect a single fiber by transmitting a light pulse, then fault detection is enabled, but identifying the specific faulty branch fiber becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical network into multiple branch fibers and uses individualized monitoring approaches for each branch. By dividing the complex network into manageable segments and applying reflectometry to each branch separately, the system can precisely identify which specific branch fiber is faulty without having to manually inspect each branch one by one, thereby reducing troubleshooting time while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates optical copies or replicas of test signals that can be simultaneously injected into multiple branch fibers. By using multiple light sources or signal copying mechanisms, the system can monitor multiple branches concurrently rather than sequentially, significantly reducing the time required to identify faulty branches while maintaining the precision of fault detection.
3Reliability
If centralized controller monitors transmission paths continuously, then network performance monitoring is improved, but user access and self-service capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables user devices to directly access and initiate optical testing functions on the network. Users can perform self-diagnosis, launch reflectometry tests, and retrieve fault information without requiring centralized controller intervention. This self-service capability improves ease of operation and user accessibility while the system maintains reliable monitoring through automated background processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension of user access by enabling direct client-device interaction with the optical monitoring system. Instead of relying solely on centralized controller interfaces, the system allows users to access monitoring functions through their own devices, creating a distributed access model that improves ease of operation while maintaining the reliability of centralized monitoring through multiple access pathways.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to methods and systems for personalizing a network management system. For example, the method comprises receiving a user's credentials at a user device and, after validating the user's credentials, the user device receives at least one network element property describing a network element. The user device then displays the received network element property, the individual interface component functions and applications and interface display suited to that network, based on a predetermined display configuration associated with the validated user credentials based on both predetermined permissions as well as user created settings.