1:N Router Resource Sparing via Dynamic Lightpaths
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Solution Overview
Problem
In network engineering, the standard architecture for Backbone Routers (BRs) and Access Routers (ARs) faces challenges such as excessive port requirements on BRs at heavily-used locations and the need for sufficient capacity in all AR-BR links to maintain traffic throughput under failure conditions, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that dynamically configures high-speed data link lightpaths between ARs and BRs at geographically dispersed locations, utilizing spare ports on BRs at lightly-used locations to create inter-office AR-BR links, thereby reducing BR port usage and achieving cost-efficient network reliability through a 1:N restoration effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each AR is connected to two BRs at the same CO location, then network reliability is improved, but the number of BR ports required increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new spatial dimension by connecting ARs to BRs at different CO locations (remote BRs) rather than only at the same location. This geographic dispersion allows BR ports to be shared across multiple ARs at different locations, reducing the total port requirement while maintaining reliability through alternative paths.
Solution Approach 2:
BR ports are made multi-functional by enabling a single BR port to serve multiple ARs at different CO locations through the optical network. The spare ports on BRs are utilized universally to restore links for ARs experiencing failures, making the port capacity shared resource rather than dedicated to a single AR.
2Reliability
If all AR-BR links have sufficient capacity to support all traffic, then traffic throughput is maintained under failure conditions, but network costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic link configuration where AR-BR links are established only when needed based on failure conditions. The optical network enables dynamic rerouting of traffic to alternative BRs, allowing the network to adapt its topology dynamically rather than maintaining all links at full capacity continuously, thus reducing costs while preserving throughput capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows temporary discarding of redundant link capacity by using shared optical network resources for restoration purposes. When a failure occurs, the network recovers by dynamically establishing alternative paths through the optical network, utilizing spare capacity that would otherwise be unused, thereby reducing overall network cost while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described that that dynamically configure high-speed data link lightpaths between access routers and backbone routers at geographically dispersed locations to reassign traffic when a backbone router fails or is removed from service. Embodiments reduce the quantity of backbone router ports used in dual backbone router-homed networks.