Service Path Routing With Shared Link-Failure Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data communication networks face challenges in efficiently satisfying diverse service demands with varying levels of link failure protection, requiring multiple paths that can adapt to failures while minimizing network resources and costs.
Innovation Solution
A network management system generates a Steiner graph based on internal paths and crossing pairs to identify alternate service paths that satisfy service demands, even in the event of link failures, using a processor to determine optimal routes and allocate resources efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple disjoint paths are provided for link failure protection, then service reliability is improved, but network resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple service paths into a shared protection structure where multiple services can share the same backup resources. By merging redundant protection paths into a common pool, the system maintains service reliability while reducing overall network resource consumption through resource sharing among multiple services.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal backup paths that can serve multiple services simultaneously. Instead of dedicating separate backup paths to each service, the system designs multi-functional protection paths that can be activated for any failing service, thereby reducing the total amount of network resources required while maintaining high service reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple service paths are used to satisfy service demands, then service continuity is improved, but network operating cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple service paths into a unified protection framework where backup resources are shared across multiple services. This consolidation reduces the total number of dedicated backup paths needed, thereby lowering network operating costs while maintaining service continuity through shared protection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a resource recovery mechanism where backup paths are discarded (not actively maintained) when not needed, and recovered (activated) only when service failures occur. This on-demand approach to path maintenance reduces ongoing operating costs while ensuring service continuity when required.
3Loss of energy
If minimal number of service paths is used, then network operating cost is reduced, but ability to handle link failures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs universal service paths that perform multiple functions: they serve as primary transmission paths during normal operation and automatically function as backup paths when failures occur. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle link failures effectively while using a minimal number of paths, thereby reducing network operating costs without compromising reliability.
4Reliability
If multiple disjoint paths are selected for different service demands, then service reliability is improved, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the management of multiple disjoint paths into a unified control framework that handles path selection, failure detection, and service restoration centrally. This consolidation reduces network complexity by providing a single point of coordination for multiple paths while maintaining the reliability benefits of having multiple disjoint routes available.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques for identifying service paths for satisfying a service demand in a data communication network are disclosed. Aspects include identifying a plurality of vertices in a communications route cycle, the communications route cycle alternating through the plurality of vertices and a plurality of edges in a sequence; identifying a plurality of internal paths in the communications route cycle, each of the plurality of internal paths is disjoint to the plurality of edges; identifying a first internal path and a second internal path among the plurality of internal paths as a crossing pair of internal paths; detecting a failure of at least two edges among the plurality of edges; and identifying, based on the communications route cycle and the identified crossing pair of internal paths, a service path that satisfies the service demand in response to detecting the failure of the at least two edges.