Granularity-Aware Bandwidth Reservation in Optical Transport Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical Transport Networks (OTNs) face challenges due to low granularity, leading to inefficient resource utilization and slow bandwidth adjustment processes, resulting in wasted bandwidth and poor routing path selection, especially when dealing with low-bandwidth services and dynamic provisioning requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method for granularity-aware end-to-end bandwidth reservation and routing path selection that determines wasted bandwidth across multiple paths and selects the most optimal path based on specific criteria such as total wasted bandwidth, minimum or maximum wasted bandwidth, or variance, to improve resource allocation and utilization in OTNs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ODU0 is used to carry low-bandwidth services, then service provisioning is possible, but bandwidth utilization is poor and resource waste occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fixed ODU0 bandwidth into multiple virtual channels or sub-slots, allowing dynamic allocation of smaller bandwidth units to different services. This enables fine-grained bandwidth allocation for low-bandwidth services while maintaining efficient utilization of the overall ODU0 container capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic bandwidth adjustment mechanisms that allow the allocated bandwidth to be flexibly changed based on actual service requirements. This dynamic allocation enables the system to adapt to varying bandwidth needs without tearing down and re-establishing services, thereby improving both adaptability and utilization efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If bandwidth adjustment is performed in OTN, then service bandwidth can be modified, but the process is slow and requires service teardown and re-setup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures multiple virtual channels and bandwidth allocation templates within the ODU0 container before services are established. This preliminary setup allows rapid bandwidth adjustment by simply switching between pre-defined configurations, eliminating the need for service teardown and re-setup during bandwidth modification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation through control plane signaling that can modify bandwidth assignments in real-time without affecting the underlying service connections. This dynamic mechanism enables fast bandwidth adjustment by updating allocation parameters while services remain active.
3Ease of manufacture
If static and pre-planned provisioning is used in OTN, then service deployment is simplified, but resource utilization and adaptability to dynamic requirements are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional provisioning system that combines both static pre-planned configuration and dynamic adjustment capabilities within the same OTN infrastructure. The system can operate in static mode for simple deployments while simultaneously supporting dynamic reconfiguration for changing requirements, providing universal applicability across different service scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control plane intermediary layer that mediates between the static data plane configuration and dynamic service requirements. This intermediary enables seamless transition between static and dynamic provisioning modes, allowing the system to maintain simple pre-planned configurations while adapting to dynamic needs through controlled modifications.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple paths are available for traffic flow, then routing flexibility is improved, but path selection complexity and wasted bandwidth increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that monitor bandwidth utilization and waste across multiple paths in real-time. This feedback information is used to dynamically adjust path selection criteria and bandwidth allocation, enabling the system to automatically optimize routing decisions based on current network conditions while managing complexity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the selection parameters for path routing from static metrics to dynamic parameters that incorporate real-time bandwidth utilization data. By adjusting selection criteria based on current network state, the system can flexibly choose optimal paths while minimizing wasted bandwidth, thereby improving routing flexibility without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An Optical Transport Network (OTN) node, a Software Defined Network (SDN) controller, and a path selection method for selecting in the OTN node or SDN controller a path for an Internet traffic flow with an underlying OTN are provided. The method includes obtaining a plurality of paths for the traffic flow through the OTN; determining a wasted bandwidth for each path, based on an amount of requested bandwidth for the traffic flow; and selecting either no path or one path of the plurality of paths, the selection based on a value of a selection criterion determined for each path of the plurality of paths, the value of the selection criterion based on the wasted bandwidth for the path.