Bandwidth Defragmentation in Optical Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical networks suffer from poor bandwidth utilization due to fragmentation, where bandwidth is allocated across multiple paths instead of a single common path, leading to insufficient bandwidth for higher bandwidth requests despite sufficient combined bandwidth availability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a bandwidth defragmentation algorithm within the signaling and routing protocol that assigns relative metrics to links based on provisioned bandwidth, allowing for path selection that avoids fragmentation by considering administrative weights and fragmentation costs, especially in cases of ties, to optimize bandwidth usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If bandwidth is allocated across multiple paths to satisfy connection requests, then connection acceptance rate improves, but bandwidth utilization deteriorates due to fragmentation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by computing and assigning fragmentation costs to links before making path selection decisions. The system proactively calculates the fragmentation cost for each link based on current bandwidth allocation, then uses these pre-computed costs to guide path selection, preventing fragmentation before it occurs rather than reacting to it later.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter used for path selection by introducing fragmentation cost as an additional metric beyond traditional administrative weight. This parameter change transforms the path selection criterion from purely administrative to a composite metric that includes both administrative weight and fragmentation cost, enabling the system to optimize for both connection acceptance and bandwidth utilization.
2Ease of operation
If path selection algorithm uses only administrative weight, then routing simplicity is maintained, but bandwidth fragmentation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using fragmentation cost only in specific scenarios rather than completely replacing administrative weight. The system maintains administrative weight as the primary routing criterion for simplicity, and only invokes fragmentation cost considerations when administrative weights are equal or when bandwidth utilization needs optimization, thus partially enhancing the routing algorithm without overcomplicating it.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple paths are used for bandwidth allocation, then connection flexibility improves, but revenue return deteriorates due to insufficient bandwidth for high-bandwidth requests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring bandwidth allocation and dynamically updating fragmentation costs based on current network state. The system calculates fragmentation costs based on existing bandwidth allocations, uses these costs to guide subsequent path selections, and repeatedly updates the costs as allocations change, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that optimizes bandwidth consolidation and enables high-bandwidth requests.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides bandwidth defragmentation systems and methods in optical networks such as Optical Transport Network (OTN), Synchronous Optical Network (SONET), Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH), Ethernet, and the like. In particular, the present invention includes bandwidth defragmentation algorithms that may be used within the context of a signaling and routing protocol to avoid bandwidth defragmentation. As such, the present invention defines a mechanism for computing an end to end path for a connection in a manner that avoids bandwidth fragmentation and provides for better network utilization. For example, the present invention may include a path computation based upon administrative weight and upon fragmentation costs. This may be implemented in existing signaling and routing protocols without changes to existing protocol messages used in topology discovery. Further, the present invention optimizes available bandwidth allowing a higher probability of higher bandwidth request being admitted.