Optical Burst Assembly for Virtual Network Resource Utilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current virtual private network (VPN) technologies face inefficiencies in resource utilization, leading to wasted resources and limited VPN network construction due to dedicated wavelength allocation and shared time division multiplexing, which fails to reconcile high instantaneous throughput with a large number of VPN networks.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of statistical optical burst multiplexing in wavelength division multiplexing communication networks, where optical packets are assembled into bursts based on average traffic patterns, optimizing resource usage and enabling finer transport granularity without requiring time division multiplexing, allowing for a high number of VPN networks with high instantaneous throughput.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated wavelength allocation is used for VPN networks, then network reliability is improved, but resource utilization deteriorates and the number of constructible VPN networks is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of VPN networks
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where wavelengths are not dedicated to specific VPN networks but are dynamically assigned based on actual traffic demands. The system can switch between different wavelength assignments for the same VPN network over time, allowing flexible adaptation to varying traffic patterns and enabling more VPN networks to share the same physical infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the allocation parameter from static dedicated wavelength assignment to dynamic statistical multiplexing. By using statistical information about traffic patterns, the system optimizes resource allocation to achieve high reliability while supporting a larger number of VPN networks simultaneously through efficient shared resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If time division multiplexing is used for shared resources, then resource utilization is improved, but instantaneous throughput is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidinstantaneous throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic burst assembly where packets are grouped into optical bursts of variable length based on actual traffic conditions. The system can adjust burst sizes and assembly timing to maximize both resource utilization and instantaneous throughput, avoiding the fixed time slots of TDM while achieving efficient shared resource access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes from fixed time division multiplexing to statistical multiplexing with variable burst parameters. By using statistical information about traffic patterns, the system optimizes burst assembly parameters to achieve high resource utilization while maintaining high instantaneous throughput when needed, resolving the trade-off between these two performance aspects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If wavelength granularity is used for transport, then network simplicity is improved, but the maximum number of VPN networks per wavelength is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork simplicityVSAvoidmaximum number of VPN networks
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transport granularity from the physical wavelength level to the optical burst level. While wavelengths remain the basic physical unit, the system introduces a intermediate layer of optical bursts that can be dynamically assembled from packets belonging to multiple different VPN networks, allowing finer granularity without complicating the physical infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces optical bursts as an intermediary between packets and wavelengths. Packets from multiple VPN networks are aggregated into optical bursts that traverse the network using wavelength resources, providing flexible multiplexing while maintaining the simplicity of wavelength-based physical transmission. This intermediary layer enables multiple VPN networks to share wavelengths efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2109964B9Packet assembly in a communication network supporting virtual networks
Publication Date: 2013.10.02 ORANGE SA
  • EP2109964B9 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2109964B9 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2109964B9 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

According to the invention, in a first node (NES4), through which optical packets (Pa, Pb) can enter the communication network, optical packets (Pa, Pb) from the virtual network are assembled in packet field. The first node generates a burst (B1) including the packet field and a label (LA1) preceding the packet field and containing first information for identifying the virtual network and second information for identifying a path (NES4-NC1-NC2-NES3) between the first node and a second node (NES3) through which the packets (Pa, Pb) can leave the communication network. Each optical packet in the packet field can be preceded by an identifier for identifying an interface through which the packet leaves the communication network and derives a destination address in the packet.