Network Peering Discovery Using Dark Fiber and Third-Party Resources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cloud service providers face challenges in establishing reliable and secure network connections between customer terminals and cloud service providers due to the lack of information about available network resources, particularly dark fiber, which can offer improved bandwidth and security, and the limitations of public Internet usage during peak times.
Innovation Solution
A network peering discovery system that selects suitable network resources based on customer input, such as location and desired performance characteristics, to create a peer connection between a customer terminal and a cloud service provider's network exchange point, utilizing dark fiber and third-party network resources to improve bandwidth and security, and optionally including intermediary network exchange points to establish a direct or indirect connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If customers connect to cloud service providers through public Internet, then connectivity is available, but bandwidth is limited and security is compromised during peak times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dark fiber networks as intermediary resources between customers and cloud service providers. These dedicated fiber optic networks act as mediators that provide alternative communication paths, enabling customers to bypass congested public Internet infrastructure and achieve more reliable connections with superior bandwidth during peak times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments network connections into multiple pathways: public Internet routes and private dark fiber routes. This segmentation allows customers to choose or combine different network paths based on performance requirements, separating the congested public infrastructure from dedicated private connections to eliminate bandwidth limitations.
2Reliability
If customers connect to cloud service providers through public Internet, then connectivity is available, but security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Dark fiber networks serve as secure intermediary channels between customers and cloud service providers. By routing traffic through these dedicated private networks rather than public Internet, the system eliminates exposure to public network security threats while maintaining connection availability through alternative routing paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the security risks from the connection pathway by removing traffic from the public Internet environment and placing it into isolated dark fiber networks. This extraction eliminates exposure to public network vulnerabilities, DDoS attacks, and other security threats while preserving essential connectivity.
3Speed
If cloud service providers build more PoPs to reduce distance, then connection quality improves, but infrastructure cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces third-party dark fiber networks as intermediary infrastructure that connects existing PoPs without requiring providers to build new facilities. These intermediary networks provide additional transmission capacity and routing options between distant PoPs, enabling faster connections while avoiding the complexity of expanding provider-owned infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal dark fiber network infrastructure that can be shared across multiple cloud service providers and customers. This multi-functional network serves various connectivity needs simultaneously, providing long-distance high-speed connections without requiring each provider to maintain separate dedicated infrastructure, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
4Loss of time
If customers seek local PoP connections, then latency is reduced, but information about available resources is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system actively queries and discovers available dark fiber resources based on customer location and requirements. The system provides feedback to customers about available local and regional dark fiber networks, enabling informed decisions about connection options that minimize latency while leveraging underutilized local infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary discovery and mapping of dark fiber network resources before customers attempt to connect. By pre-identifying available local and regional dark fiber infrastructure and organizing this information by location and capabilities, the system enables customers to quickly select optimal low-latency connections without information gathering delays.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with network peering discovery are described. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, and storing in a data structure, a customer location where a customer terminal is located, and platform information identifying a multi-tenant platform. A network exchange point is identified, and includes network hardware where a physical network connection to the multi-tenant platform is to be established for the customer terminal. If a distance separating the network exchange point from the customer location does not exceed a threshold, the data structure is modified to include a local network connection between the network exchange point and the customer terminal. If the distance exceeds the threshold, the data structure is modified to include a third-party network between the customer terminal and the network exchange point. The modified data structure is transmitted to a remote computer terminal to control creation of a peer connection.