M:N Protection Switching in Ring Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks lack a comprehensive solution for M:N protection switching, where multiple protection channels are needed to protect a larger number of working channels, leading to potential failures in service restoration due to high failure probabilities and inefficient use of protection resources.
Innovation Solution
A method for M:N protection switching in ring networks is implemented using Automatic Protection Switching (APS) protocol signaling, transmitted through overhead bytes or Protocol Data Unit (PDU) messages, which determines the utilization condition and priority of protection channels to optimize the use of both short and long path protection channels for reliable switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If 1:N protection mode is adopted with large N, then protection coverage is expanded, but the probability of multiple working channels contesting for one protection channel increases leading to potential protection failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ring network into multiple protection groups, where each protection channel is assigned to protect a specific subset of working channels. This segmentation reduces the number of working channels competing for each protection channel, thereby maintaining high protection success probability while expanding overall protection coverage through multiple protection groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic protection channel assignment and switching mechanisms. The system can dynamically adjust which protection channel serves which working channels based on real-time network conditions, failure detection, and resource availability. This dynamic approach optimizes protection resource utilization and ensures reliable protection switching even in M:N scenarios.
2Reliability
If M:N protection switching is implemented to reduce protection channel competition, then protection reliability improves, but the complexity of signaling interaction and resource management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where network nodes continuously monitor the status of working channels and protection channels. When a failure is detected, the system uses feedback signals to trigger appropriate protection switching actions. This feedback-based approach simplifies the signaling interaction by automating the decision-making process and reducing the need for complex manual configuration and coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service protection switching where network nodes automatically detect failures and initiate protection switching without requiring external intervention. The system uses local failure detection and automatic signal generation to trigger protection channel switching, thereby reducing the complexity of signaling interaction and resource management while maintaining high protection reliability.
3Productivity
If protection channels are used to transmit extra traffic, then protection channel utilization increases, but the availability of protection channels for failure protection decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring protection channels and establishing protection relationships before failures occur. The system pre-calculates protection paths and assigns protection channels to working channels in advance, so that when failures happen, protection switching can be executed immediately without needing to reallocate resources. This allows protection channels to carry extra traffic during normal operation while ensuring availability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic resource allocation and channel switching mechanisms that allow protection channels to flexibly switch between carrying extra traffic and providing protection. The system can dynamically adjust the role of protection channels based on network conditions, ensuring both high utilization during normal operation and reliable protection availability when failures occur.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for realizing many to many protection switching operation of ring network including: determining information of a switch request of M:N protection switching of the ring network, a destination node of the switch request, a source node of the switch request, a flag of long or short path, a status of bridging and switching, a channel number of protected working channel, and utilization condition of protection channels; carrying the information in a signaling and transferring it on the ring network; upon receipt of the signaling, performing the M:N protection switching of the ring network by a ring network node according to the information in the signaling. Therefore, the format of APS protocol signaling provided in this invention includes the information necessary for protection switching. This invention also provides an effective transmission approach of APS protocol signaling for protection switching.