Automated method for connection discovery within consolidated network elements
AssigneeNortel Networks Limited
InventorsJames R. Mattson, Dino B. Fatica, LeRoy A. Pick, Jose K. Kokkat, Timothy P. Munro
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Abstract
An automated method of detecting, and provisioning connections between interconnected nodes in a consolidated network element involves sending messages between the nodes. The messages are inserted into data frames sent from respective transmit ports through inter-node links, to respective receive ports. The messages contain information used to provision the receive ports at which they are received, and information for identifying equipment that generated, transmitted, and conveyed the message, respectively, so that the connectivity of the interconnected nodes can be verified.
Claims21
A method for enabling system layout and testing (SLAT) and configuration management of nodes in a consolidated network element (CNE) comprising steps of:
- inserting into an overhead part of at least one data frame in each data stream sent from a first to a second interconnected node in the CNE, an identifier of equipment that controls the insertion, a transmit port that transmitted the data frame, a strand through which the data frame was sent and, an equipment type of the identified equipment;
- transmitting each of the data frames from respective transmit ports, through respective strands, to respective receive ports of the second node;
- receiving the data frames at the respective receive ports;
- and
- extracting the overhead parts and processing the overhead parts to assemble messages useful for SLAT and configuration management.
A message for enabling inter-node connection discovery between interconnected nodes of a consolidated network element (CNE) that convey data frames with overhead and payload parts, the nodes being interconnected by bundles of optical fiber strands, the message being conveyed from a sending node, through a strand, to a receiving node, the message comprising:
- an equipment identifier assigned to equipment of the sending node that controls generation of the message;
- a port identifier that identifies a transmit port of the sending node that transmits the message;
- a strand identifier, identifying a strand over which the message is transmitted;
- and
- an equipment type identifier that identifies a category of the control equipment.
A method for automatically provisioning a receive port of a second node adapted to receive data frames with overhead and payload parts from a transmit port of a first node, the first and second nodes being interconnected in a consolidated network element (CNE), the method comprising steps of:
- formulating and inserting a message of a predefined format into at least one predetermined byte of the overhead part of at least one data frame, the message containing information respecting the first node;
- transmitting the at least one data unit to a receive port of the second node;
- extracting the message from the at least one data frame at the receive port;
- and
- using the information in the message to automatically set at least one port configuration parameter of the receive port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.