Network Element Configuring SONET SDH Protection Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturers need to produce two types of network elements to support either SONET or SDH protection switching, resulting in increased costs due to different triggering requirements for each standard.
Innovation Solution
A network element is configured with a default set of triggering parameters common to both SDH and SONET standards, allowing additional parameters to be added as needed for specific network deployments, enabling support for both standards in a single device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manufacturers produce two types of network elements to support SONET or SDH protection switching, then support for both standards is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network element is designed with a universal configuration that supports both SONET and SDH protection switching standards through a single device. The system includes a configurable processor that can be programmed with different triggering parameters for each standard, eliminating the need to manufacture separate dedicated devices for SONET or SDH networks.
2Reliability
If network elements are configured for specific SONET or SDH standards, then standard compliance is ensured, but device complexity increases due to multiple configurations needed
Solution Approach 1:
The network element employs dynamic configurability where the processor can be programmed with different triggering parameters depending on the specific standard requirements. The system allows administrators to select and configure appropriate triggering parameters for SONET, SDH, or other protection switching schemes, enabling the device to adapt its behavior dynamically rather than being hardwired for a single standard.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for configuring a network element to support protection switching in an optical network are described. The network element can operate according to the SONET, SDH, or both optical transport standards. Each tributary card of the network element has a baseline set of triggering parameters for supporting each protection scheme of both optical transport standards. A baseline parameter set for a given protection scheme has those triggering parameters that are common to SDH and SONET optical transport standards. One or more additional triggering parameters may be needed by a tributary card to complete the implementation of a particular protection scheme. These additional triggering parameters can be sent to the tributary cards, as needed, to supplement the baseline parameter sets.