Ethernet OMCI Optical Network Management via VLANs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implementing Active Ethernet in optical networks for subscriber aggregation faces challenges due to the lack of traffic encapsulation constructs like traffic containers and dedicated encapsulation method ports, which are unavailable for Ethernet-based protocols, leading to difficulties in carrying traffic across optical networks.
Innovation Solution
The use of Ethernet-based management protocols, specifically Active Ethernet, with virtual local area networks (VLANs) to separate traffic and enable ONT registration and VLAN creation without requiring GPON constructs, allowing for the encapsulation of management traffic using OMCI packets and Ethernet protocols to create Ethernet management packets carried by VLANs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Active Ethernet is used for optical network traffic encapsulation, then Ethernet-based protocol compatibility is improved, but the lack of traffic container and dedicated encapsulation method port constructs causes implementation difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces Ethernet Virtual Circuits (EVCs) and Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) as intermediary constructs that bridge the gap between Active Ethernet's simplicity and the structured traffic management capabilities traditionally provided by GPON's traffic containers and GEM ports. These intermediaries enable traffic encapsulation and port management without requiring the unavailable GPON-specific constructs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes VLANs and EVCs multi-functional, allowing them to serve both as traffic encapsulation mechanisms and as port management constructs simultaneously. This universal approach replaces the need for separate traffic containers and dedicated encapsulation ports in GPON, simplifying the Active Ethernet implementation while maintaining equivalent functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If GPON constructs like traffic containers and GEM ports are used, then traffic encapsulation is simplified, but compatibility with Ethernet-based protocols is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the GPON-specific mechanical constructs (traffic containers and GEM ports) with Ethernet-native constructs (VLANs and EVCs). This substitution maintains the functional equivalence of traffic encapsulation and port management while ensuring full compatibility with Ethernet-based protocols like Active Ethernet.
3Adaptability or versatility
If VLANs are used for traffic separation in Active Ethernet, then Ethernet protocol compatibility is improved, but the provisioning burden of VLAN tags increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic VLAN tag assignment and EVC provisioning mechanisms that eliminate the manual burden of VLAN tag management. The system automatically assigns VLAN tags to traffic flows and configures EVCs based on service requirements, making the provisioning process self-service and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary configuration of VLANs and EVCs during network setup and service provisioning, so that when traffic needs to be encapsulated, the appropriate VLAN tags and EVC mappings are already in place. This preliminary action eliminates the need for real-time VLAN tag provisioning and reduces operational burden.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for Ethernet-based management of optical networks using ONT management interface (OMCI). In one exemplary embodiment, an Ethernet-based protocol, such as Active Ethernet, is used to implement an ONT management interface (OMCI) between an optical line terminal (OLT) and a plurality of ONTs of a MON. Further, virtual local area networks (VLANs) are used to separate the traffic carried by the MON. Various techniques are described that permit ONT registration and creation of VLANs for the MON without requiring the use of gigabit PON (GPON) constructs, such as traffic containers (TCONTs) and dedicated GPON encapsulation method (GEM) ports.