Optical Bandwidth Manager for Network Capacity Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Allocating optical network capacity in optical networks is difficult and typically requires direct adjustments to network entities, making it inefficient and labor-intensive for users.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows users to remotely allocate network capacity by providing a user interface to select and allocate available optical links and super-channels, enabling efficient bandwidth allocation without direct hardware adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If direct adjustments to network entities are performed to allocate optical network capacity, then the allocation can be achieved, but the process becomes labor-intensive and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
A graphical user interface acts as an intermediary between the user and the network entities. The interface receives user input specifying desired optical links, automatically determines allocation parameters, and communicates with network entities to perform the allocation. This mediator eliminates the need for users to directly adjust complex network entity parameters while maintaining allocation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service allocation by allowing users to specify high-level allocation requirements through the graphical interface without needing to understand or manually configure the underlying network entity parameters. The system automatically processes these requirements and performs the actual allocation, making the service accessible to users without specialized technical knowledge.
2Ease of operation
If manual adjustments to network entities are required, then precise control over optical links is achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical user interface creates a simplified visual representation (copy) of the network topology and available optical links. Users interact with this graphical copy rather than directly configuring network entities. The interface maps user selections from the graphical representation to the actual network configuration, dramatically reducing the time and complexity of allocation while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical adjustment of network entity parameters with an automated software-based graphical interface. Instead of physically or directly configuring network devices, users select desired allocations from visual representations, and the system automatically translates these selections into the appropriate configuration commands, eliminating time-consuming manual processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A system may receive user input that identifies network entities in an optical network. The system may provide a user interface that displays a representation of the network entities and of optical link types configured to carry optical signals among the network entities. The system may receive user input that identifies a particular optical link type, and may display a representation of optical links, of the particular optical link type, that are associated with the network entities. The system may also display an indication of an allocation status of the optical links. The system may receive user input that identifies an available optical link to be allocated for an optical transmission, and may provide, to the network entities and based on the user input, information that identifies the available optical link to permit the available optical link to be allocated for the optical transmission between the network entities.