OSC Data Exposure for IP Routing Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical networks face challenges in efficiently managing and routing IP traffic due to transient optical network conditions, such as signal attenuation and amplifier spontaneous emissions, which can lead to unnecessary rerouting and service disruptions.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves exposing Optical Supervisory Channel (OSC) data from the optical transport layer to the client routing layer, allowing network devices to modify routing operations based on real-time optical link characteristics, thereby avoiding unnecessary rerouting and optimizing service delivery by incorporating additional optical layer operating characteristics into IP network routing decisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If routing decisions are made without optical layer information, then routing simplicity is maintained, but unnecessary rerouting occurs due to transient optical conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting stabilityVSAvoidrouting decision complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by exposing Optical Supervisory Channel (OSC) data to the client routing layer, allowing routing decisions to be based on real-time optical link characteristics. This feedback mechanism enables the routing layer to detect transient optical conditions and adjust routing accordingly, preventing unnecessary rerouting while maintaining routing stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a new dimension to routing decisions by incorporating optical layer information (OSC data) into the routing layer. This cross-layer approach allows routing decisions to consider optical link characteristics such as signal attenuation and amplifier spontaneous emissions, enabling more informed routing choices without significantly increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If optical supervisory channel data is exposed to the routing layer, then routing decisions improve, but information processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice delivery efficiencyVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary optical layer information from the OSC data and exposes it to the client routing layer. By selectively extracting relevant characteristics rather than processing all OSC data, the system improves service delivery efficiency while minimizing the increase in information processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If routing is based on optical link characteristics, then service delivery improves, but routing configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice delivery reliabilityVSAvoidrouting configuration ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the routing layer to automatically adjust routing decisions based on exposed OSC data. The system autonomously responds to optical link characteristics without requiring manual configuration changes, thereby improving service delivery reliability while maintaining ease of operation through automated adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3151457B1Packet routing using optical supervisory channel data for an optical transport system
Publication Date: 2022.07.13 JUNIPER NETWORKS INC
  • EP3151457B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3151457B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3151457B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In some examples, a network device comprises one or more processors operably coupled to a memory, and a routing unit configured for execution by the one or more processors to route data traffic on a layer 3 network overlaying an optical transport system; receive optical supervisory channel data for an optical supervisory channel of the optical transport system; determine the optical supervisory channel data indicates an event affecting transmission or detection of a signal transported by a wavelength, the wavelength traversing an optical fiber of the optical transport system and underlying a link of the layer 3 network; and reconfigure, in response to determining the optical supervisory channel data indicates the event, a configuration of the network device to modify routing operations of the network device with respect to the data traffic on the layer 3 network.