Adaptive Preconfiguration for OTN Switching Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical Transport Networks (OTN) face challenges in real-time provisioning due to glitches from reference clock changes and mismatched hardware provisioning, leading to slow switch times and unnecessary side effects like OTN signal glitches, which hinder the dynamic provisioning and de-provisioning required for flexible cloud applications.
Innovation Solution
Implementing adaptive preconfiguration in OTN networks, where idle lines are preconfigured in either trail termination or connection modes based on existing connections, using a controller to automatically set modes for OTN lines to match potential connections for protection, thereby avoiding hardware provisioning at runtime and minimizing mode transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If real-time provisioning is performed without preconfiguration, then the system maintains flexibility in handling dynamic cloud applications, but the switch time exceeds 50 ms due to time-consuming mode changes and hardware provisioning updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by preconfiguring idle OTN lines in advance with predicted connection modes (trail termination or connection mode) based on network topology and historical data. This preconfiguration stores predicted connection information in memory, so when a protection switch is needed, the line is already prepared and can switch immediately without time-consuming mode changes, thus resolving the contradiction between fast switching and operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the preconfiguration adaptive rather than static. The system continuously monitors network conditions, updates predictions of which connections will be established, and dynamically adjusts the preconfiguration of idle lines. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain optimal switch readiness without requiring manual reconfiguration, balancing switching speed with system flexibility
2Ease of operation
If ODUk layer transitions from connection mode to trail-terminating mode without preconfiguration, then the system maintains operational simplicity, but OTUk signal glitches occur due to reference clock changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by preconfiguring the ODUk layer mode (connection mode or trail-terminating mode) in advance based on predicted connections. When a protection switch is triggered, the mode change has already been prepared and stored in memory, eliminating the need for real-time mode transitions that cause reference clock changes and OTUk signal glitches, thus maintaining both operational simplicity and signal stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by anticipating and preventing the harmful effect of reference clock changes before they occur. By preconfiguring the correct mode and storing it in memory, the system prevents the need for mode transitions during protection switching, thereby preemptively avoiding the signal instability and glitches that would otherwise result from clock reference changes
3Adaptability or versatility
If new provisioning requests are processed without preconfiguration, then the system maintains adaptability to changing network demands, but unnecessary side effects like OTN signal glitches occur due to hardware provisioning mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by preconfiguring idle lines with predicted connection parameters (ODUk rate, connection mode) before actual traffic demands arise. When a provisioning request matches a preconfigured line, the connection is established immediately without hardware reconfiguration, eliminating signal glitches while maintaining adaptability through continuous prediction updates based on network topology and traffic patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring actual network traffic patterns and comparing them with predictions. When predictions are updated based on observed traffic, the preconfiguration is adjusted accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the system remains adaptable to changing demands while minimizing mismatches that cause signal glitches, as the preconfiguration evolves with actual network behavior
Data Source
AI summary
A network element operating in an Optical Transport Network (OTN) network and configured to adaptively preconfigure OTN connections includes one or more ports, each port including hardware supporting an Optical channel Transport Unit level k (OTUk) configured to transport an Optical channel Data Unit level k (ODUk) or one or more Optical channel Data Unit level j's (ODUj's), j<k; wherein, when a port of the one or more ports is installed with an idle connection, the port is automatically preconfigured in either a connection mode for the ODUk or a trail termination mode for the one or more ODUj's based on existing OTN connections in the OTN network.