Dynamic Control Domains in Optical Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optically transparent networks face challenges in dynamically adapting control domains due to complex topologies and hardware changes, leading to increased operational costs and difficulties in maintaining optimal network configurations.
Innovation Solution
A control method that propagates cascades of control messages between nodes to create ad hoc control domains, allowing for dynamic and adaptive reconfiguration of control operations based on network topology and traffic distribution, reducing unfavorable interactions and optimizing parallel control operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If predefined control domains are used to coordinate control operations, then control operations can be coordinated within domains, but the network cannot dynamically adapt to topology changes and hardware modifications, increasing operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control domains that automatically adjust their boundaries and membership based on real-time network conditions, traffic patterns, and topology changes. Control domains are no longer static predefined entities but dynamically formed groups of nodes that adapt to network evolution, eliminating the need for manual reconfiguration and reducing operational costs associated with maintaining control domain information.
Solution Approach 2:
The network nodes autonomously determine their control domain membership and coordinates control operations without requiring external provisioning or manual intervention. Each node independently participates in control domain formation and maintenance based on local observations and communications with neighboring nodes, enabling the system to self-adapt to hardware modifications and topology changes.
2Ease of operation
If global information about the network is provisioned at each node, then control operations can be coordinated, but the deployment process is complicated and operational costs increase for tracking and maintaining information integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces control messages as intermediary carriers that transmit necessary control information between nodes and control domains. Instead of provisioning complete global information at each node, control messages selectively convey relevant control operation data, domain membership changes, and coordination information only when needed, reducing the information burden at each node while maintaining coordination capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the state of control information from static provisioned data to dynamic message-based parameters. Control domain characteristics and coordination rules are transmitted as changeable parameters through control messages, allowing nodes to adapt their behavior based on current network conditions without requiring complete global information to be permanently stored and maintained.
3Adaptability or versatility
If control domains are subdivided for complex topologies, then control operations can be coordinated, but the subdivisions become arbitrary and difficult to determine as network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent automatically segments the network into control domains based on objective criteria such as traffic patterns, geographic proximity, and network topology characteristics. This segmentation occurs dynamically without requiring manual definition of boundaries, even in highly complex topologies. The system identifies natural clusterings and forms control domains accordingly, eliminating arbitrariness in domain subdivision.
Solution Approach 2:
Nodes continuously exchange information about network conditions, traffic flows, and control operation outcomes. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically adjust control domain boundaries and compositions based on observed performance metrics, making the subdivision process objective and adaptive rather than arbitrary and static.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a control method, according to which a cascade of control messages is propagated between nodes of an optically transparent network, with each message being sent from a node to an adjacent downstream node to inform the latter about a control operation scheduled to be performed at the message-sending node and/or an upstream node that impacts an optical communication signal received at that downstream node. The cascade of control messages effectively creates an ad hoc control domain, in which control operations performed at various nodes of that domain can be coordinated to reduce unfavorable interactions between those control operations. By repeatedly propagating appropriate cascades of control messages through the network, control domains can be changed dynamically and adaptively to reflect any changes to the network topology, equipment, and/or traffic distribution.