# US 2010/0166012 A1 · Method and Apparatus for Assigning And Allocating Network Resources to Layer 1 Virtual Private Networks > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0166012 A1 - Document ID: US20100166012A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/723,010 - Filed: 2010-03-12 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2004-03-26 - Assignees: Nortel Networks Limited - Inventors: Raymond Aubin; Malcolm Betts; Stephen Shew - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100166012A1 ## CPC - H04L 12/4641: {Virtual LANs, VLANs, e.g. virtual private networks [VPN] (LAN interconnection over a bridge based backbone H04L12/462; encapsulation techniques H04L12/4633; routing of packets H04L45/00; packet switches H04L49/00; virtual private networks for security H04L63/0272)} - H04L 47/15: {in relation to multipoint traffic (arrangements for broadcast or multicast in data networks H04L12/18)} - H04L 47/70: Admission control; Resource allocation - H04L 47/72: using reservation actions during connection setup - H04L 47/781: {Centralised allocation of resources} - H04L 47/808: {User-type aware} - H04L 47/822: {Collecting or measuring resource availability data} - H04L 47/825: {Involving tunnels, e.g. MPLS} - H04L 47/828: {Allocation of resources per group of connections, e.g. per group of users} - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract Network resources are assigned as dedicated, shared, or public network resources. The resources are then allocated to L1-VPN subscribers on demand. Splitting assignment of the resources from allocation of the resources enables resources to be assigned to more than one subscriber on the network. Temporary physical dedication of the resources to one of the subscribers may be accomplished by allocating the assigned resources on demand, so that particular subscribers are provided with dedicated resources on an as-needed basis. Dedication of the network resources allows the network resources to be configured, managed, and controlled by the customers. The network resources may be optical resources and the links may be time slots on particular fibers. Optionally, by enabling prioritization to cause displacement of link allocations, additional flexibility may be obtained in allocating links to L1-VPNs such as by allowing the use of private and shared resources by other subscribers. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of assigning network resources to L 1 -VPNs on a communication network, the method comprising the steps of: collecting information about available resources on the network; and designating a first subset of the resources as dedicated L1-VPN resources; and designating a second subset of the resources as shared L1-VPN resources. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of designating the first subset of the resources as dedicated L1-VPN resources comprises assigning at least a first portion of the first subset of the resources to a first L1-VPN subscriber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the resources assigned to the first L1-VPN subscriber may only be used by the L1-VPN subscriber. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of designating a second subset of the resources as shared L1-VPN resources comprises assigning at least a second portion of the second subset of the resources to be shared by at least two L1-VPN subscribers. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the at least two L1-VPN subscribers are a group of L1-VPN subscribers, and wherein the shared resources assigned to group of L1-VPN subscribers may be used by one of group members at a time. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising designating a subset of the resources as public L1-VPN resources. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein resources not designated as dedicated L1-VPN resources and not designated as shared L1-VPN resources are public L1-VPN resources. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of communicating information associated with the steps of designating the first subset of the resources as dedicated L1-VPN resources; and designating the second subset of the resources as shared L1-VPN resources to network elements to enable those resources to be allocated on the communication network. ### Claim 9 A method of allocating network resources to L1-VPNs on a communication network, the method comprising the steps of: receiving assignment information associated with assignment of network resources to L1-VPNs; and receiving a request associated with an L1-VPN subscriber for network resources; and allocating assigned network resources to fulfill the request. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the assignment information contains an indication of which network resources are network resources that may only be used by one L1-VPN subscriber, and which network resources may only be used by a group of L1-VPN subscribers. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the step of allocating assigned network resources comprises determining current assignment information for the L1-VPN subscriber to determine which network resources have been assigned to the L1-VPN subscriber, and preferentially allocating network resources to the L1-VPN subscriber from those network resources that have been assigned to the L1-VPN subscriber. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the step of allocating assigned network resources comprises determining current assignment information for the L1-VPN subscriber to determine which network resources have been assigned to the L1-VPN subscriber, and determining which of the assigned network resources are currently in use. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the step of allocating further comprises preferentially selecting network resources that have been assigned to the L1-VPN subscriber and which are not currently in use to fulfill the request, and selecting public network resources to augment the assigned resources to fulfill the request if necessary. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the step of allocating comprises prioritizing between L1-VPN subscribers to enable a first L1-VPN subscriber associated with assigned network resources to preempt a second L1-VPN subscriber currently allocated the assigned network resource. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein prioritizing results in a transfer of the network resource from the second L1-VPN subscriber to the first L1-VPN subscriber. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the step of allocating assigned network resources to fulfill the request comprises temporarily dedicating the resources to be used by only one L1-VPN subscriber for the allocation period. ### Claim 17 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the step of allocating is done on demand. ### Claim 18 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the step of allocating allows network resources to be shared between multiple L1-VPN subscribers by allowing the same network resources to be allocated to more than one L1-VPN subscriber, one L1-VPN subscriber at a time. ### Claim 19 An apparatus for assigning network resources to L1-VPNs on a communication network, comprising: a processor containing control logic configured to: assign network resources to L1-VPN subscribers; and allocate assigned resources in response to requests. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the resources are optical network resources, and wherein allocated assigned resources may be used by only one L1-VPN subscriber while allocated.