Method and system for shared backup allocation in networks based on partial information

A computer readable medium encoded with computer program code, such that when the computer program code is executed by a processor, the processor performs a computer implemented method for allocating bandwidth in a network having at least two primary paths, the method comprising the steps of:

• identifying a bridge set for each primary path, each bridge set including a plurality of bridges, such that each link of the respective primary path is protected by at least one bridge of the respective bridge set,
• each bridge protecting a subpath connecting two of the nodes of one of the primary paths,
• each bridge having at least one link, and
• wherein none of the bridges shares any link with the subpath of the respective primary path protected by that bridge, and
• a first one of the bridges that protects one of the subpaths of the first primary path and a second one of the bridges that protects one of the subpaths of the second primary path have at least one common link.

A system for allocating bandwidth in a network having at least two primary paths, comprising:

• a computer processor programmed to identify a bridge set for each primary path, each bridge set including a plurality of bridges, such that each link of the respective primary path is protected by at least one bridge of the respective bridge set,
• each bridge protecting a subpath connecting two of the nodes of one of the primary paths,
• each bridge having at least one link,
• wherein none of the bridges shares any link with the subpath of the respective primary path protected by that bridge, and
• a first one of the bridges that protects one of the subpaths of the first primary path and a second one of the bridges that protects one of the subpaths of the second primary path have at least one common link.

A network having at least two primary paths, and a plurality of nodes,

• the plurality of nodes including at least two source nodes that allocate bandwidth for respective ones of the primary paths,
• each of the at least two source nodes comprising a computer processor programmed to identify a bridge set corresponding to a respective one of the at least two primary paths,
• each bridge set including a plurality of bridges, such that each link of the respective primary path is protected by at least one bridge of the respective bridge set,
• each bridge protecting a subpath connecting two of the plurality of nodes included within the corresponding one of the primary paths,
• each bridge having at least one link,
• wherein none of the bridges shares any link with the subpath of the respective primary path protected by that bridge, and
• a first one of the bridges that protects one of the subpaths of the first primary path and a second one of the bridges that protects one of the subpaths of the second primary path have at least one common link.

A tangible transmission medium carrying a signal encoded with computer program code, such that when the computer program code is executed by a processor, the processor performs a computer implemented method for allocating bandwidth in a network having at least two primary paths, the method comprising the steps of:

• identifying a bridge set for each primary path, each bridge set including a plurality of bridges, such that each link of the respective primary path is protected by at least one bridge of the respective bridge set,
• each bridge protecting a subpath connecting two of the nodes of one of the primary paths,
• each bridge having at least one link, and
• wherein none of the bridges shares any link with the subpath of the respective primary path protected by that bridge, and
• a first one of the bridges that protects one of the subpaths of the first primary path and a second one of the bridges that protects one of the subpaths of the second primary path have at least one common link.

A method comprising:

• allocating a respective restoration path to protect each of a plurality of primary paths in a network, each primary path having a plurality of nodes and at least two subpaths connecting the nodes thereof, each restoration path including at least one link, such that:
• each link protects at least one of the subpaths of the primary path,
• each of the subpaths of the primary path is protected, and
• none of the links in the restoration path is included in the corresponding primary path;
• and
• sharing at least one of the links among at least two restoration paths corresponding to at least two of the primary paths.