A telecommunications switching system employing multi-protocol routing optimization which utilizes predetermined and measured parameters in accordance with a set of user priorities in determining the selection of a telecommunications path to be utilized for transmitting a data file to a remote destination. The switching system has a first memory for storing the data file to be transferred, a second memory for storing predetermined parameters such as cost data associated with each of the telecommunications paths, a third memory for storing a set of user priorities regarding the transmission of data files, and means for measuring the value of variable parameters such as file transfer speed associated with each of the telecommunications paths. Processor means are operatively associated with the second and third memories and the variable parameter measuring means for determining which of the plurality of telecommunications paths should be utilized for transferring the data file in accordance with the set of user priorities, the predetermined telecommunications path parameters, and the measured variable parameters. The switching system further comprises input means for allowing a user to change the user priorities in the third memory prior to transmitting a file.

Multi-protocol telecommunications routing optimization

A method and apparatus is provided for automatic protection switching in a ring network by creating a protection domain having a control vlan and protected data vlans and designating a master node and transit nodes connected by a primary port and a secondary port. The master node blocks the secondary port for data vlan traffic until it detects a fault either by notice from a transit node or by polling. When a fault is detected, the master node unblocks the secondary port for data vlan traffic. When the fault is restored, the transit node temporarily blocks the restored port to data vlan traffic thereby preventing a loop. Each time the secondary port is blocked and unblocked, the forwarding databases on all the nodes are flushed.

Ethernet automatic protection switching

In a ring topology network, a number of nodes interconnect transmission links to form first and second working rings and first and second optical protection rings in a ring topology. Multiple working paths are established on each working ring and multiple protection paths are established on each protection ring corresponding to the working paths. A first working path spans across first and second nodes for transmission of a signal in a first direction of the ring topology, and a second working path of the second working ring spans across the first and second nodes for transmission of a signal in a second direction of the ring topology opposite to the first direction. A first protection path on the first protection ring spans across the first and second nodes for transmission of a signal in the second direction of the ring topology, and a second protection path of the second protection ring spans across the first and second nodes for transmission of a signal in the first direction of the ring topology. The first and second nodes normally use the first and second working paths, respectively. Responsive to a failure of one of the first and second working paths, the first and second nodes use a corresponding one of the first and second protection paths, instead of the failed working path.

Ring network for sharing protection resource by working communication paths

A bidirectional logical-ring network employs crossconnect nodes, which partition the network into segments and interconnect segments at the subchannel level to form logical ring structures. All segments are independent, and each segment includes a subset of Add-Drop Multiplex nodes (ADMs) and two pairs of links, one working and one protection. The formation of logical rings from the interconnection of independent segment subchannels preserves the self-healing advantages of conventional bidirectional ring networks and allows greater flexibility to effeciently accommodate bandwidth upgrade requests.

Self-healing bidirectional logical-ring network using crossconnects

Network elements at endpoints of a data connection are identified. A network path is generated between the network elements at the endpoints. The network path is validated by determining whether the network path provides at least one service requirement. The service requirement may be a minimum bandwidth requirement, a maximum bandwidth requirement, a maximum delay requirement, a maximum jitter requirement, a reliability requirement, a requirement that the network path includes network elements capable of acting as security gateways that bracket untrusted sections of the network path, a reachability requirement, or a data collection capability requirement. Network elements along a validated network path are configured to implement the service requirement. In one embodiment, the configuration performed on the network elements is recorded.

Service provisioning methods and apparatus

A transmission system comprises nodes coupled in a ring via two multiplexed transmission paths having opposite transmission directions. The two paths can be time, space, or wavelength division multiplexed. Bidirectional communications between any two nodes are provided in normal operation using both paths around a first, most direct, part of the ring. In the event of a fault affecting such communications, a protection switch is made to maintain bidirectional communications between the two nodes using both paths around a second, remaining, part of the ring. In this manner, each path can simultaneously carry both normal and protection switched signals. In an embodiment of the invention, only the two nodes adjacent a fault need be aware of the fault, each of these nodes effecting a protection switch for signals terminated at the node and effecting a protective loopback for other signals needing protection. The invention enhances the total capacity of the paths for carrying normal and protection switched signals. A network may comprise a plurality of such ring transmission systems intersecting at at least one network node, the network node comprising a node of each ring and a cross connect switch for switching signals therebetween.

Wayne Ergle

Papers

Ring transmission system