Network Management Node Topology Discovery via OSPF Listening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional GMPLS network management systems require significant control plane signalling and manual operator intervention for topology discovery, leading to processing overhead and potential errors due to dynamic network topologies.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where a network management node listens to topology advertisements in the control plane, storing information and selectively sending Link Management Protocol (LMP) requests based on this information, reducing the need for manual intervention and processing overhead, and translating this information into an OSS-compatible format for real-time network views and bandwidth data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual operator intervention is used for node installation and link creation, then human control is maintained, but the process becomes tedious and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The network management system automatically performs topology discovery by listening to OSPF advertisements and initiating LMP queries without human intervention. The system self-configures by processing received topology information and automatically building the OSS topology model, eliminating manual operator tasks while maintaining high reliability through automated error-free processing.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive LMP queries are performed for all nodes, then detailed topology information is obtained, but significant control plane signalling and processing overhead are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary topology discovery by listening to OSPF advertisements that contain topology information before initiating detailed LMP queries. This preliminary action allows the system to identify only those nodes and links that require further investigation, thereby reducing the overall number of LMP queries needed while ensuring complete topology information is eventually gathered.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of performing exhaustive LMP queries for all nodes in the network, the system performs partial LMP queries only for specific nodes identified through OSPF advertisement listening. This selective approach reduces processing overhead and control plane signalling while obtaining sufficient topology information for OSS operations.
3Reliability
If frequent topology discovery is performed to maintain up-to-date information, then current topology is maintained, but control plane signalling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously listens to OSPF advertisements in real-time, maintaining continuous awareness of topology changes without periodic full discovery cycles. This continuous passive monitoring ensures up-to-date topology information while avoiding the signalling overhead of repeated active discovery processes, thereby maintaining network productivity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A network management node (40) of a connection-oriented network (10) listens to topology advertisements (51) in a control plane of the network and stores information carried in the topology advertisements. The node selectively sends Link Management Protocol, LMP, requests (52) based on the information carried in the topology advertisements (51). Link Management Protocol, LMP, requests can be performed for at least one of the following events: adjacency addition; addition of a link (12) between nodes; deletion of a link (12) between nodes; modification to the bandwidth of a link (12) between nodes. The information collected in the topology advertisements (51) is translated into a format compatible with an Operations Support System, OSS, model (48).