XML Control Protocol for Network Equipment Across Transport Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network control protocols focus on layer-specific controls, requiring access to each layer to set up resources and services, which is inefficient and lacks technology-independent control mechanisms for offering services across different network layers.
Innovation Solution
An XML-based protocol is used between network elements to control a plurality of settings across different transport network technologies, including optical, wireless, TDM, and packet networks, using self-describing XML messages that are parsed by a general XML language parser to determine the required resources and configure network services independently of specific technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If layer-specific control protocols are used for each network layer, then each layer can be controlled independently with specialized protocols, but the system complexity increases and technology-independent control is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a single XML-based control protocol that can control multiple network layers (optical, wireless, TDM, packet) through a unified interface. The XML messages contain self-describing information that allows the same protocol structure to adapt to different layer-specific requirements, eliminating the need for separate control protocols for each layer while maintaining technology-independent control.
2Productivity
If access to each layer is required to set up resources and services, then layer-specific resource allocation can be optimized, but the provisioning process becomes inefficient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions for multiple network layers into a single XML-based provisioning system. By combining layer-specific control capabilities into one unified protocol framework, the system can provision services across multiple layers simultaneously through a single XML message exchange, dramatically improving provisioning efficiency and reducing the time required compared to sequential layer-by-layer access.
Solution Approach 2:
The XML message structure acts as an intermediary that carries service provisioning information across different network layers. The self-describing XML messages encode layer-specific parameters and resource requirements in a standardized format, allowing a single provisioning request to be translated and executed across multiple layers without requiring direct access to each layer's native control interface, thus reducing provisioning time.
3Reliability
If multiple layer-specific protocols are implemented, then each protocol can be optimized for its specific layer, but interoperability across diverse network technologies becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by encoding layer-specific control parameters within the standardized XML message structure. Different network layers are controlled by varying the parameters and attributes within the XML messages rather than changing the protocol structure itself. This allows the same XML-based protocol to reliably control different layers by adjusting the contained parameters, maintaining both layer-specific optimization and cross-technology interoperability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention utilizes an XML-based protocol for controlling a plurality of settings to tie network equipment together, such as telecommunications, cable, enterprise, wireless, etc., across different transport network technologies, including optical, wireless, TDM, and packet. Network requests are carried in self-describing XML messages that are parsed by a general XML language parser. This changes the paradigm of XML used to control data records to XML controlling network equipment. This has many benefits including the ability to better function in the new IMS infrastructures being assembled.