Hierarchical tree-based protection scheme for mesh networks

A method of reconnecting a node disconnected from a spanning hierarchical protection tree in a mesh network to the spanning hierarchical protection tree comprising:

• designating a backup parent of said disconnected node in said tree to be a primary parent of said disconnected node in said tree;
• and
• from said disconnected node, sending an invitation to become a child of said disconnected node in said tree to each adjacent node of said disconnected node that is not said primary parent.

A method of connecting an auxiliary node to a spanning hierarchical protection tree in a mesh network comprising:

• receiving an invitation from each adjacent node of said auxiliary node for said auxiliary node to become a child of said adjacent node;
• and
• designating as a primary parent of said auxiliary node the one adjacent node that is visited by a protection path from said auxiliary node to a root node of said spanning hierarchical protection tree whose minimum capacity is at least as large as the largest minimum capacity of all existing protection paths from said auxiliary node to said root node.

A computer readable medium storing computer software that, when loaded into a computing device, adapts said device to extend a spanning hierarchical protection tree in a mesh network by:

• at a current node, receiving an invitation to become a child of a first adjacent node;
• and
• if a minimum capacity along a protection path from said current node to a root node of the spanning hierarchical protection tree which visits the first adjacent node is greater than a minimum capacity of any existing protection path from said current node to said root node, designating said first adjacent node as a primary parent of said current node in said tree.

A computer readable medium storing computer software that, when loaded into a computing device, adapts said device to reconnect a node disconnected from a spanning hierarchical protection tree in a mesh network to the spanning hierarchical protection tree by:

• designating a backup parent of said disconnected node in said tree to be a primary parent of said disconnected node in said tree;
• and
• from said disconnected node, sending an invitation to become a child of said disconnected node in said tree to each adjacent node of said disconnected node that is not said primary parent.

A computer readable medium storing computer software that, when loaded into a computing device, adapts said device to connect an auxiliary node to a spanning hierarchical protection tree in a mesh network by:

• receiving an invitation from each adjacent node of said auxiliary node for said auxiliary node to become a child of said adjacent node;
• and
• designating as a primary parent of said auxiliary node the one adjacent node that is visited by a protection path from said auxiliary node to a root node of said spanning hierarchical protection tree whose minimum capacity is at least as large as the largest minimum capacity of all existing protection paths from said auxiliary node to said root node.

A computer readable medium storing computer software that, when loaded into a computing device, adapts said device to extend a spanning hierarchical protection tree in a mesh network by:

• at a current node, receiving an invitation to become a child of an adjacent node, said invitation providing an indication of a minimum capacity of a protection path from said current node to a root node of the spanning hierarchical protection tree which visits the adjacent node;
• and
• designating said adjacent node as a primary parent in said tree of said current node if said indicated minimum capacity is greater than a minimum capacity of any existing protection path from said current node to said root node.

A computer readable medium storing computer software that, when loaded into a computing device, adapts said device to reconnect a node disconnected from a spanning hierarchical protection tree in a mesh network to the spanning hierarchical protection tree by:

• designating a backup parent of said disconnected node in said tree to be a primary parent of said disconnected node in said tree;
• and
• from said disconnected node, sending an invitation to become a child of said disconnected node in said tree to each adjacent node of said disconnected node that is not said primary parent, said invitation providing an indication of a minimum capacity of a protection path from said adjacent node to a root node of the spanning hierarchical protection tree which visits the disconnected node.

A computer readable medium storing computer software that, when loaded into a computing device, adapts said device to connect an auxiliary node to a spanning hierarchical protection tree in a mesh network by:

• receiving an invitation from each adjacent node of said auxiliary node for said auxiliary node to become a child of said adjacent node, said invitation providing an indication of a minimum capacity of a protection path from said auxiliary node to a root node of the spanning hierarchical protection tree which visits said adjacent node;
• and
• designating as a primary parent of said auxiliary node one adjacent node whose invitation indicates a minimum capacity at least as large as the minimum capacity indicated in each other invitation.