Network Topology Mapping for Link Diversity and Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical communication networks face challenges in ensuring path diversity and load balancing due to the lack of accurate topology mapping that includes both digital and optical express-thru nodes, leading to potential data loss and network bottlenecks.
Innovation Solution
A method is developed to generate a network topology map that identifies both digital and optical express-thru nodes, maps physical and virtual links, and uses broadcasting of local link advertisements and optical carrier group binding information to ensure link diversity and load balancing across the network, employing the Constrained Shortest Path First algorithm with exclusion constraints to compute diverse routes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the network topology map includes only digital nodes, then the routing complexity is reduced, but the link diversity and load balancing accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The network topology is segmented into two layers: the control plane topology (including all digital and optical express-thru nodes) and the traffic engineering topology (including only digital nodes). This segmentation allows routing computations to be performed on a simplified view while maintaining complete topology information for diversity calculations, thus resolving the contradiction between routing complexity and link diversity.
2Device complexity
If optical express-thru nodes are excluded from the topology view, then the routing computation is simplified, but the load balancing accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the control plane maintains complete topology information including optical express-thru nodes, while the traffic engineering topology uses a simplified view. The system computes diverse paths in the control plane and then maps them to the traffic engineering topology for actual routing, ensuring both computational efficiency and load balancing accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If virtual connections are established through optical express-thru nodes, then the network connectivity is improved, but the topology mapping accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to topology representation by maintaining historical topology information and using it to compute diverse paths. The system distinguishes between the current traffic engineering topology and the complete control plane topology, allowing virtual connections to be established while maintaining accurate topology mapping through multi-dimensional topology views.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a system, apparatus and method to compute a route through a network having both digital nodes and optical express-thru nodes. According to various embodiments of the invention, a network topology is generated in which both digital nodes, optical express-thru nodes, and optical nodes are identified, and both physical and virtual links between these nodes are mapped. The network connectivity is identified, at least in part, by broadcasting a local link state advertisement and optical carrier group binding information to neighboring nodes, which enables both physical and virtual neighboring nodes to be identified. Once a topology is generated, both physical and virtual link characteristics are analyzed to ensure link diversity for traffic through the network and load balancing functionality across the network.