Using PCE as SDN controller

A Path Computation Element (PCE) as a central controller in a network, the PCE comprising:

• a receiver configured to receive a path computation request from a path computation client (PCC), the path computation request requesting computation for a path from a head end node to a tail end node;
• a processor coupled to the receiver and configured to:
• compute the path from the head end node to the tail end node in response to the path computation request, wherein the calculated path comprises a plurality of nodes;
• allocate a first node segment identity (ID) for a first node of the plurality nodes, wherein the first node segment ID is allocated from a global label pool;
• and
• allocate an adjacency segment ID for a link between two nodes of the plurality nodes, wherein the adjacency segment ID is allocated from a local label pool;
• and
• a transmitter coupled to the processor and configured to:
• pass the first node segment ID to the head end node;
• and
• pass the adjacency segment ID to the head end node, wherein the adjacency segment ID is passed along with the first node segment ID in a label stack.

A Path Computation Element (PCE) as a central controller in a network, the PCE comprising:

• a receiver configured to receive a path computation request from a path computation client (PCC), the path computation request requesting computation for a path from a head end node to a tail end node;
• a processor coupled to the receiver and configured to:
• compute the path from the head end node to the tail end node in response to the path computation request, wherein the calculated path comprises a plurality of nodes;
• allocate a first node segment identity (ID) for a first node of the plurality nodes, wherein the first node segment ID is allocated from a global label pool;
• and
• allocate a second node segment ID for a second node of the plurality nodes;
• and
• a transmitter coupled to the processor and configured to:
• pass the first node segment ID to the head end node;
• and
• pass the second node segment ID to the head end node, wherein the second segment ID is passed along with the first node segment ID in a label stack.

A computer readable media (CRM) containing non-transitory computer instructions for a path computation element (PCE) to operate as a central controller in a network, the CRM comprising:

• computer instructions for receiving, by the PCE, a path computation request from a path computation client (PCC), the path computation request requesting computation for a path from a head end node to a tail end node;
• computer instructions for computing, by the PCE, the path from the head end node to the tail end node in response to the path computation request, wherein the calculated path comprises a plurality of nodes;
• computer instructions for allocating, by the PCE, a first node segment identity (ID) for a first node of the plurality nodes, wherein the first node segment ID is allocated from a global label pool;
• computer instructions for allocating, by the PCE, a second node segment ID for a second node of the plurality nodes;
• computer instructions for passing, by the PCE, the first node segment ID to the head end node;
• and
• computer instructions for passing, by the PCE, the second node segment ID to the head end node, wherein the second segment ID is passed along with the first node segment ID in a label stack.