Flexible Shared Mesh Protection for Optical Transport Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network management systems in intelligent optical transport networks (IOTNs) lack efficient mechanisms for dynamic and flexible shared mesh protection, leading to suboptimal resource utilization and increased costs due to fixed protection capacity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a flexible shared mesh protection (FSMP) mechanism using dynamic provisioning capabilities of an optical control plane and SONET/SDH adaptive-rate port technologies, allowing for minimal protection capacity usage and dynamic adjustment of shared protection bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed protection capacity is allocated in traditional network management systems, then network reliability is ensured, but resource utilization deteriorates and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic protection capacity allocation by enabling the control plane to automatically adjust protection bandwidth based on real-time network conditions and failure scenarios. The system transitions from static pre-allocation to dynamic provisioning, where protection resources are allocated only when and where needed, optimizing both reliability and resource utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the protection capacity parameter from fixed to variable by implementing flexible shared mesh protection. The control plane modifies protection bandwidth parameters dynamically based on network state, allowing the same physical infrastructure to provide different levels of protection depending on actual requirements
2Reliability
If fixed protection capacity is allocated in traditional network management systems, then network reliability is ensured, but costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control plane implements self-service by automatically detecting network failures and reallocating protection resources without human intervention. The system monitors network state, identifies failures, and dynamically provisions protection capacity only where needed, eliminating the need for over-provisioning and reducing operational costs while maintaining reliability
3Quantity of substance
If dynamic protection capacity adjustment is implemented, then resource utilization is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control plane as an intermediary layer between the network management system and the physical network infrastructure. This intermediary handles the complexity of dynamic resource allocation, failure detection, and protection provisioning, allowing network elements to focus on their core functions while the control plane manages the complex coordination required for flexible shared mesh protection
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes one or more active/working circuit groups to transfer information through a protection domain, the protection domain defined by a plurality of network devices and a plurality of links connecting the network devices between a start point and an end point; and a protection circuit group through the protection domain, the protection circuit group being disjoint from the one or more active/working circuit groups to provide shared protection for the one or more active/working circuit groups, where the protection circuit group is comprised of an individual protection circuit and where a capacity of the protection circuit group is dynamically adjusted based on a capacity of the one or more active/working circuit groups.