US 2006/0070058 A1 · Synchronized ring software download

Abstract

According to a disclosed embodiment of the invention, software download and installation in a ring network are synchronized in a two-stage operation in order to minimize service disruption time. In a first phase, the MPM's and UIM's in all the nodes are upgraded in parallel. Each node has two main processing modules, allowing one to be upgraded while the other continues to operate the node. In a second phase, the RIM's at the edges of a single ring segment are upgraded, one ring segment after the other, during which time each terminal node continues to operate with respect to the span connecting to its opposite side. While a span is non-operative, traffic is wrapped or diverted as necessary to maintain service of the ring. While one RIM of a node is being upgraded, the other RIM remains operational.

Claims38

Dependent claims

A method for performing software upgrade in a data network having a plurality of nodes interconnected in a ring, said nodes having two ring interface modules, comprising the steps of:

downloading a software release to at least a first node;
disabling a flow of data across exactly one internodal connection between one of said ring interface modules of said first node and one of said ring interface modules of a second node;
installing said software release in said one ring interface module of said first node while said flow of data across said one internodal connection is disabled;
and
thereafter reestablishing said flow of data across said internodal connection.

2 more elements

A computer software product, including a computer-readable medium in which computer program instructions are stored, which instructions, when read by one or more processors in nodes of a data network, wherein said nodes are connected in a ring, each of said nodes having two ring interface modules, cause the processors to execute a method for performing software upgrade in said nodes, the method comprising the steps of:

downloading a software release to at least a first node;
disabling a flow of data across exactly one internodal connection between one of said ring interface modules of said first node and one of said ring interface modules of a second node;
installing said software release in said one ring interface module of said first node while said flow of data across said one internodal connection is disabled;
and
thereafter reestablishing said flow of data across said internodal connection.

2 more elements

A communications apparatus comprising a data network having a plurality of nodes interconnected in a ring, said nodes having two ring interface modules, processors in said nodes being operative for performing a method of software upgrade in said nodes, comprising the steps of:

downloading a software release to at least a first node;
disabling a flow of data across exactly one internodal connection between one of said ring interface modules of said first node and one of said ring interface modules of a second node;
installing said software release in said one ring interface module of said first node;
and
thereafter reestablishing said flow of data across said internodal connection.

2 more elements

A computer software product, including a computer-readable medium in which computer program instructions are stored, which instructions, when read by one or more processors, cause the processors to perform a method for performing software upgrade in a data network having a plurality of nodes interconnected in a ring, said nodes having two ring interface modules, spans of said ring being defined by a direct internodal connection between an eastern ring interface module of a first node, and a western ring interface module of a second node, the method comprising the steps of:

downloading a software release to said first node and said second node of at least one of said spans;
and
while maintaining operation of said western ring interface module of said first node and said eastern ring interface module of said second node of said one span, installing said software release in said eastern ring interface module of said first node and in said western ring interface module of said second node of said one span.

A communications apparatus comprising a data network having a plurality of nodes interconnected in a ring, said nodes having two ring interface modules, spans of said ring being defined by a direct internodal connection between an eastern ring interface module of a first node, and a western ring interface module of a second node, processors in said nodes being operative for performing software upgrade in said nodes, comprising the steps of:

downloading a software release to said first node and said second node of at least one of said spans;
and
while maintaining operation of said western ring interface module of said first node and said eastern ring interface module of said second node of said one span, installing said software release in said eastern ring interface module of said first node and in said western ring interface module of said second node of said one span.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Synchronized ring software download

Life of this patent

Synchronized ring software download

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims38