Optical Circuit Switch Link Redistribution for Scalable Network Expansion

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing new links between old super blocks and new spine blocks (or new super blocks and old spine blocks) before disconnecting the old links. This ensures that data routing paths are already in place before the old connections are severed, preventing data loss during the transition. The system performs the link establishment operation in advance, so when the old links are disconnected, traffic can immediately flow through the newly established paths without interruption.

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the link disconnection process into individual switch-level operations. Instead of disconnecting all required links simultaneously across the network, the system disconnects links one switch at a time, allowing data traffic to be gradually redistributed through alternative paths. This segmented approach reduces the duration of throughput loss by maintaining partial connectivity throughout the reconfiguration process, rather than creating a complete network disruption.

The patent applies self-service by implementing automated algorithms that perform the complex task of determining which links to disconnect and how to redistribute them across switches. The system automatically calculates the optimal link reconfiguration plan, considering constraints such as maximum links per switch and data flow requirements, and executes the reconfiguration without manual intervention. This automation handles the complexity of link management internally, allowing the network to achieve high flexibility while the management overhead is handled by the self-service algorithm rather than requiring complex manual coordination.