Network Management Apparatus for Elastic Optical Frequency Slot Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In elastic optical networks, managing frequency slot usage status is complex due to variable center frequencies and slot widths, leading to inefficient resource utilization and difficulty in determining optimal routes and frequency assignments for optical paths.
Innovation Solution
A network management apparatus and program that displays an assignment screen with a usage status table, allowing for easy checking of frequency slot usage, and automatically assigns available frequency slots to optical paths, reducing the burden on network managers and improving visibility of vacant ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If elastic optical network allows variable center frequency and frequency slot width for each optical path, then network resource utilization efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing variable center frequencies and frequency slot widths for different optical paths. The system dynamically adjusts these parameters based on the specific requirements of each optical path, enabling efficient resource allocation while maintaining flexibility in the elastic optical network.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamics by making the frequency grid configuration adaptable and changeable rather than fixed. The center frequency and slot width can be dynamically adjusted for different optical paths and wavelength conversion apparatus, allowing the network to optimize resource utilization in response to varying traffic demands.
2Productivity
If frequency bands are densely allocated to each optical path, then network resource utilization efficiency is improved, but difficulty in detecting and measuring usage status increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the frequency band into discrete frequency slots that can be individually tracked and managed. This segmentation allows the system to densely allocate resources while maintaining clear visibility into the usage status of each slot, resolving the contradiction between dense allocation and ease of monitoring.
3Adaptability or versatility
If optical paths are irregularly disposed on frequency axis, then flexibility in band assignment is improved, but loss of information about usage status increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary wavelength conversion apparatus that maintains frequency slot continuity information across multiple wavelength division multiplexed links. This intermediary device tracks and manages the usage status of frequency slots, enabling irregular disposal of optical paths on the frequency axis while preventing information loss about resource allocation.
4Productivity
If automatic provisioning is used to compute route and frequency allocation, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by implementing automatic provisioning that enables the network to autonomously compute routes and allocate frequency slots without manual intervention. The system uses route selection algorithms and frequency allocation algorithms to automatically manage optical path provisioning, improving productivity while the modular architecture helps manage the inherent complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A network management apparatus generates a usage status table (139). The usage status table is a table including cells arranged in the form of a two-dimensional array having rows and columns of link identifiers and slot identifiers, wherein a status whether or not a frequency slot corresponding to each cell is in use in a link corresponding to the cell is indicated by a display mode of the cell. The network management apparatus causes a display device to display an assignment screen (130) including the usage status table. The network management apparatus determines an assignment range that is a range of one or more frequency slots to be assigned to each transmission path. The network management apparatus sets the display mode of one or more of the cells included in the usage status table and corresponding to the assignment range to a display mode that indicates the assignment range.