Automatic Tributary Port Number Assignment in Optical Transport Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual configuration of tributary port numbers in optical transport networks (OTNs) is labor-intensive and error-prone, leading to inefficiencies and high error rates in multiplexing lower-order ODUs into higher-order ODUs.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for automatically assigning tributary port numbers by determining and reserving free tributary slot resources based on service type within OTU links, using GMPLS signaling to establish service paths and reduce manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual configuration of tributary port numbers is used, then network management can be performed, but the workload is huge and error rate is high
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic TPN assignment where the network management system autonomously determines and configures tributary port numbers without manual intervention. The NMS automatically maps ODU services to available TPNs based on service types and link characteristics, making the system self-configuring and eliminating human error in TPN configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary resource allocation by pre-defining TPN pools for different service types and link categories. Before actual service deployment, the system pre-assigns TPN ranges to different OTU links based on their capacity and service type requirements, so that when services are deployed, TPNs are already prepared and available, eliminating the need for manual real-time configuration.
2Productivity
If automatic TPN assignment is implemented, then assignment efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system simplifies automatic TPN assignment by changing the parameter management approach: instead of managing individual TPN assignments, it manages TPN pools as aggregate parameters. The NMS configures pool ranges, service type mappings, and link associations at a high level, and the automatic assignment algorithm handles detailed allocations, reducing the complexity of manual configuration while maintaining high efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary automatic assignment algorithm that mediates between the network management system and the actual TPN configuration. This intermediary layer translates high-level service requirements into specific TPN assignments automatically, shielding the complexity of the assignment logic from both the network administrators and the underlying system, thus improving efficiency without exposing system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention relate a method, an apparatus, and a system for assigning a tributary port number. The method includes: receiving a service path request message which is sent by a neighboring node and carries a service type; determining, according to the service path request message, an OTU link used to bear the ODU service, determining and reserving, according to the service type in the service path request message, a free tributary slot resource used to bear the ODU service in the OTU link, and assigning a tributary port number to the free tributary slot resource; and sending a service path acknowledgment message to the neighboring node. In the method, apparatus, and system for assigning a tributary port number in the embodiments of the present invention, the tributary port number is obtained automatically instead of being assigned manually through a network management system, and therefore, the efficiency of assigning the tributary port number is improved. Because the manual operation is avoided, the error rate of assigning the tributary port number is reduced.