Dynamic Network Resource Allocation for Access Multiplexers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current telecommunications networks face inefficiencies due to statically assigned network resources, leading to high investment and operational costs, as well as unnecessary energy consumption, as customers often maintain permanent connections even when not in use.

Innovation Solution

Implement a dynamic allocation method for network resources based on user presence and usage, allowing ports to be released or reassigned when not in use, and redirecting services to mobile devices or virtual instances when necessary, with automated control and storage of resource states in a central network instance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If network resources are statically assigned to customers, then service availability is ensured, but investment costs and operational costs increase due to blocked capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidnetwork capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where network resources are not permanently bound to customers but are allocated and released based on actual usage states. The system continuously monitors customer network status and dynamically assigns or releases access ports, IP addresses, and radio resources according to whether customers are currently active or inactive, transforming static resource allocation into a dynamic process that adapts to changing demands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the state parameters of network resources based on customer activity detection. When a customer is detected as inactive through various monitoring mechanisms, the system changes parameters such as port assignment status, IP address allocation, and radio resource binding from 'assigned' to 'released', thereby freeing up capacity while maintaining service availability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If network resources are statically assigned to customers, then service continuity is maintained, but energy consumption increases due to permanently operating components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic monitoring of customer network status and periodic reallocation of resources. Instead of maintaining resources continuously, the system periodically checks whether customers are active and adjusts resource allocation accordingly, enabling components to enter low-power states during periods of inactivity while ensuring resources are rapidly available when customers become active again.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables customer networks to effectively manage their own resource allocation through automated detection of active and inactive states. When a customer network is detected as inactive, resources are automatically released without manual intervention, and when active again, resources are automatically reassigned, reducing the need for permanently operating components while maintaining service continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If access ports are permanently assigned to customers, then connection reliability is ensured, but device complexity increases due to required network expansion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes access ports universal by enabling them to serve multiple customers sequentially rather than being dedicated to a single customer. The same physical port can be dynamically assigned to different customers based on their current activity state, allowing the network infrastructure to handle more customers with fewer physical ports, thereby reducing the complexity of network expansion while maintaining connection reliability through dynamic reassignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2874350B1Dynamic allocation and virtualisation of network resources in the access network and in customer networks
Publication Date: 2018.08.08 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP2874350B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2874350B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2874350B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides a method and a system for the dynamic allocation of network resources in the access network and in at least one customer network. According to the method, the positions of all users of the customer network are first determined. If it is determined that no user of the customer network is logged into the customer network, the customer network, or at least one of its components, is placed in a first predefined state. In this case, at least one access port of an access multiplexer assigned to the customer network is released to the access network resource pool, in particular a DSLAM port. Furthermore, a method and a system for the dynamic control of network resources in a data network are provided.