Centralized Routing Information Publishing for OTN Edge Forwarding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems using optical transport networks (OTN) face complex and time-consuming routing configurations in static configuration manners, and heavy resource burdens and resource wastage in route flooding learning manners, particularly due to the large number of optical line terminals (OLTs) and routers, leading to inefficient network resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

A routing information publishing method utilizing a centrally controlled transport network with edge devices that receive routing information via a control plane protocol, allowing automatic generation of forwarding tables without the need for static configuration or route flooding, thereby reducing resource occupation and processing burdens.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If static configuration manner is applied for routing tables and ARP tables, then routing configuration can be manually controlled, but the configuration becomes highly complex and time-consuming with heavy workload

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting configuration controlVSAvoidconfiguration efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic routing information distribution where the system self-configures routing tables and ARP tables without manual intervention. The controller automatically collects routing information from routers and distributes it to OLTs, eliminating the need for manual configuration while maintaining accurate routing control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Extent of automation

If route flooding learning manner is applied, then routing information can be automatically learned, but there is excessively heavy burden on hardware resources such as CPU and memory of each OLT and router

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting information learningVSAvoidhardware resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary that centralizes the routing information collection and distribution function. Instead of each OLT and router performing resource-intensive route flooding, the controller acts as a mediator that gathers routing information from routers and distributes it to OLTs, significantly reducing hardware resource burden on network devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If route flooding is performed in a network with excessively large quantity of OLTs, then routing information can be distributed, but there is waste of network resources as unused OTN pipes still occupy network resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting information distributionVSAvoidnetwork resource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary routing information collection by the controller from routers before distribution to OLTs. This allows the system to establish routing paths only when needed, rather than pre-configuring all possible OTN pipes. The controller collects routing information proactively and distributes it on-demand, avoiding waste of network resources on unused pipes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4080902B1Methods and devices for distributing routing information
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4080902B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP4080902B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP4080902B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

Embodiments of this application relate to the field of communication technologies, and provide a routing information publishing method, an apparatus, and a system, to resolve a problem that in an existing communication system in which an OTN is applied, during configuration of a routing table and an ARP, there is highly complex and time-consuming routing configuration and a heavy workload if a static configuration manner is applied and there is a waste of network resources and heavy burden on hardware resources of devices in a network due to a relatively large quantity of pre-established OTN pipes if a route flooding learning manner is applied. The method includes: An edge transport device connected to a first edge device in a first network domain receives, based on a control plane protocol message, first routing information that is from a controller and that includes an address of a second edge device in a second network domain and a destination address of the second network domain, and sends the first routing information to the first edge device, so that the first edge device generates, based on the first routing information, a forwarding table that is of the first edge device and that is used to indicate a forwarding relationship between the first network domain and the second network domain.