Hierarchical L1 and L2 Cross-Connect for Transport Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transport and aggregation platforms lack flexibility in network planning due to fixed relationships between client port bandwidth and transport network port bandwidth, limiting the ability to connect Ethernet clients of different speeds and requiring additional wavelengths for increased capacity, leading to high costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The integration of hierarchical layer one and layer two cross-connects in a transport and aggregation platform, allowing physical connections to terminate on L1 line cards while routing portions to L2 line cards for further processing, enabling flexible cross-connections and oversubscription, thus supporting multiple Ethernet clients on a single wavelength without increasing wavelengths or platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed relationship between client port bandwidth and transport network port bandwidth is used, then network simplicity is maintained, but network flexibility and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cross-connect function into two hierarchical layers: L1 cross-connect for bandwidth allocation and L2 cross-connect for service routing. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each layer, enabling flexible service mappings without requiring a complete redesign of the entire network architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the cross-connect architecture by adding L2 cross-connect functionality above the traditional L1 layer. This dimensional addition enables services to be routed at L2 while bandwidth is managed at L1, providing flexibility without linearly increasing overall system complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If additional wavelengths are added to increase network capacity, then bandwidth capacity is improved, but network cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges L1 and L2 cross-connect functions into a unified hierarchical platform, allowing multiple services to be multiplexed and routed through the same infrastructure. This consolidation increases network capacity by better utilizing existing wavelengths rather than requiring additional ones.
Solution Approach 2:
The hierarchical cross-connect platform provides multi-functional capabilities, handling both bandwidth management and service routing within a single system. This universal platform can accommodate various service types and bandwidth requirements without requiring separate dedicated infrastructure for each function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If physical connections terminate only on L1 or L2 switching cards, then system simplicity is maintained, but network adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary hierarchical structure where L2 cross-connect acts as a mediator between physical L1 connections and end services. This intermediary layer enables flexible service routing and mapping without requiring physical connections to terminate directly on L2 cards, maintaining system simplicity while increasing adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides systems and methods to effectively combine layer one and layer two cross-connects in a hierarchical fashion. The present invention combines layer one and layer two cross-connects between a layer one (L1) line card and a layer two (L2) line card in a transport and aggregation platform. Advantageously, the present invention provides network operators increased flexibility and capability in transport and aggregation networks. Particularly, transport networks tend to contain only layer one capabilities. The present invention makes the introduction of layer two functionality into transport networks practical because an entire physical connection need not be dedicated to all layer one cross-connects or all layer two cross-connects.