Trail Establishment Across SDN and GMPLS Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In networks where both SDN and GMPLS are deployed, a trail cannot be established between a node in the SDN and a node in the GMPLS network due to protocol format differences.

Innovation Solution

A trail inquiry message is sent to a dual stack node in the first network, and a virtual topology is formed using the network topology and route feedback from the dual stack node, allowing a trail to be established between the source and sink end nodes across different networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If SDN and GMPLS networks coexist with different protocol formats, then each network can maintain its own protocol standards, but a trail cannot be established between nodes in different networks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidtrail establishment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a protocol conversion mechanism that acts as an intermediary between SDN and GMPLS networks. The conversion module translates OPENFLOW protocol messages into GMPLS protocol messages and vice versa, enabling trail establishment across network boundaries while maintaining protocol integrity within each network domain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal trail establishment mechanism that can operate across both SDN and GMPLS networks. By implementing a dual-protocol controller capable of handling both OPENFLOW and GMPLS protocols, the system achieves multi-functionality that allows single trail establishment procedures to work across heterogeneous network environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If static optical network architecture is used, then network deployment is simple, but dynamic bandwidth allocation requirement cannot be met

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork deployment simplicityVSAvoiddynamic bandwidth allocation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic trail establishment in optical networks by introducing control plane software that can dynamically compute and set up trails based on real-time bandwidth requirements. The system transitions from static pre-configured connections to dynamic on-demand trail establishment while maintaining the simplicity of the underlying optical infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent separates the control plane from the data plane in optical networks. The control plane handles dynamic trail establishment and bandwidth allocation through software, while the data plane maintains simple static optical switching. This segmentation allows dynamic functionality to be added without complicating the physical network deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3131239B1Method and apparatus for path establishment
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3131239B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3131239B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3131239B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention provides a trail establishment method and apparatus. The method includes: sending, by a controller, a trail inquiry message to a dual stack node in a first network, where the trail inquiry message carries identification information of a sink end node of a trail; receiving, by the controller, a trail feedback message sent by the dual stack node, and forming a virtual topology by using a network topology of the first network and a route, which is carried in the trail feedback message, from the dual stack node to the sink end node corresponding to the identification information of the sink end node; and acquiring, by the controller, a route, from the source end node to the sink end node, of the trail according to the virtual topology, and establishing a trail from the source end node to the sink end node. By using the technical solutions of the present invention, a virtual topology is constructed according to a topology of an SDN network and a route, which is fed back by the dual stack node, from a dual stack node to a sink end node, thereby implementing establishment of a trail between a source end node and the sink end node, and further implementing establishment of a trail between nodes in different networks.