OTN Topology Discovery via TTI Operator Specific Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing and maintaining optical transport networks (OTNs) with multiple network elements from different manufacturers is challenging due to the complexity of integrating various network management systems, database migrations, and the need for accurate network mapping without disrupting traffic or performance monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for automatically discovering the topology of OTNs using the Operator Specific field in Trail Trace Identifiers (TTIs) within OTU and ODU frames, allowing for the mapping of optical trails and paths without operator input, ensuring no impact on traffic or performance monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual mapping of the network is performed by preparing description files or using graphical user interfaces, then the network topology can be described in network managers, but this process is time-consuming, repetitive, error-prone, and difficult to keep updated when the network size is important
Solution Approach 1:
The network elements automatically perform mapping by inserting their own identification data into TTI fields and exchanging this information with neighboring elements. The system self-configures without external intervention, eliminating manual description file preparation and GUI-based mapping, thereby resolving the contradiction between mapping accuracy and time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping process is performed automatically during network initialization or when changes occur, before operational issues can arise. By pre-establishing accurate topology information through automated exchange of identification data, the system eliminates the need for subsequent manual updates, reducing both time loss and potential errors.
2Productivity
If automated network mapping is performed, then the mapping process becomes efficient and scalable, but it may generate alarms, impact traffic, or affect performance monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The mapping function is extracted from the operational data path by using dedicated identification fields (TTI with OS/Reserved bytes) that are separate from traffic-bearing channels. This extraction allows automated mapping without interfering with normal traffic flow or performance monitoring, resolving the contradiction between mapping efficiency and operational stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The TTI fields serve as an intermediary mechanism that carries mapping information separately from user traffic. By using this intermediate structure for identification data exchange, the system achieves automated mapping while preventing any impact on traffic performance and avoiding alarm generation, thus maintaining reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple network managers from different manufacturers are used to manage network elements from different suppliers, then each supplier's equipment can be supervised, but the operator cannot manage end-to-end paths through multiple providers in a simple way
Solution Approach 1:
The mapping mechanism uses standardized TTI fields that are universally supported across different vendor equipment, enabling a single network manager to discover and manage end-to-end paths through multiple providers. This universal approach eliminates the need for multiple vendor-specific management systems, reducing complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the mapping functionality across multiple vendor systems into a unified automated process. By merging the identification and exchange mechanisms into a common standardized protocol using TTI fields, the system consolidates multiple management approaches into one, simplifying end-to-end path management while maintaining compatibility with diverse equipment.
4Ease of manufacture
If database migration between versions of NMS is performed, then the network manager can be updated, but the process becomes complex and difficult for maintenance with several years of deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The automated mapping continuously maintains current topology information in the network manager, so when database migration or NMS version updates are needed, the data is already up-to-date and correctly structured. This preliminary maintenance of accurate data simplifies migration processes and reduces maintenance complexity compared to manual mapping scenarios.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to topology discovery in an optical network, and corresponding discovery system, with a particular application in optical networks of the standard Optical Transport Network type. The method comprises: - discovering one or more optical trails and one or more optical paths between the OTUx, respectively the ODUx, of a first network element Node1 of said part of the OTN, and the OTUx, respectively ODUx, of a second network element Node2 of said part of the OTN, by: ∘ transmitting from the OTUx, respectively the ODUx, of the first network element Node1, to the OTUx, respectively the ODUx, of another network element, data in a data frame structured so as to comprise an Operator Specific, OS, field included in a Trail Trace Identifier, with said OS field storing a transmitted termination point identifier of said OTUx, respectively ODUx of the first network element Node1; ∘ receiving at the OTUx, respectively the ODUx, of the second network element Node2, from the OTUx, respectively the ODUx, of another network element, data in a data frame structured so as to comprise an Operator Specific, OS, field included in a Trail Trace Identifier, with said OS field storing a received termination point identifier of said OTUx, respectively ODUx of said other network element; ∘ checking by the network topology discovery system if the received termination point identifier corresponds to the transmitted termination point identifier, and, if yes, recording in the network topology discovery system an optical trail, respectively path, between the OTUx, respectively the ODUx of the first network element Node1 and the OTUx, respectively the ODU) of the second network element Node2; - pairing by the network topology discovery system each of the discovered optical paths between ODUx's with a set of one or more of the discovered optical trails between OTUx's, such that the first network element of the first trail in said set of one or more trails corresponds to the first network element of said path, and that the second network element of the last trail in said set of one or more trails corresponds to the second network element of said path.