Modeling access networks as trees in software-defined network controllers
AssigneeFuturewei Technologies, Inc.
InventorsJingjing Zhang, Wei Wei, Liurong Qian
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A network model is provided for modeling the nodes in networks such as access networks having a tree topology. Using the model, a network description can be generated that includes a node description for each node in the access network. A node description for a node includes an extra field to define child nodes relative to a modeled node. The node description also includes an extra field to describe a link from a modeled node to an upstream node. The connecting links and intermediate nodes of access nodes are exposed and can be manipulated. By providing a node description with child and link fields, a separate link data store can be avoided.
Claims22
A device, comprising:
- a non-transitory memory storage comprising instructions;
- and
- one or more processors in communication with the memory, wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to:
- access network information for an access network having a tree topology including a plurality of nodes and a plurality of links, wherein each pair of connected nodes of the plurality includes a single connecting link, each node being associated with at least one device;
- generate a network description for the access network based on a node model for a tree topology, the network description including for a first node at least one child field defining any downstream nodes relative to the first node and a link field defining a distance between the first node and an upstream node to which it is connected;
- and
- store the network description for access by at least one controller to manage control plane functions in the access network.
A system, comprising:
- an access network comprising a plurality of nodes and a plurality of links between a subset of the nodes, each node is associated with at least one device, the access network providing connectivity between a plurality of client devices and a service provider;
- a processor coupled to the software-defined access network and configured to generate a node description for a first node of the software-defined access network, the node description defining at least one downstream node relative to the first node and indicating a distance between the first node and an upstream node;
- and
- a storage device configured to receive and store the node description for the first node.
A computer-implemented method for network management, comprising:
- providing an access network comprising a plurality of nodes and a plurality of links between a subset of the nodes, each node is associated with at least one device, the access network providing connectivity between a plurality of client devices and at least one external network;
- accessing by a controller a network description for the access network, the network description including a node description for each of the plurality of nodes, wherein the node description for each node includes a child field defining downstream nodes connected to the node and a link field defining a distance between the node and an upstream node;
- and
- generating by the controller a source-destination path between a leaf node and a root node in the access network in response to a client request, the controller configured to access the node description for at least the leaf node and the root node to determine connecting links based on link fields in the node description for the leaf node and the root node.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer instructions for network management, that when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of:
- access network information for a plurality of nodes and a plurality of links connecting at least a subset of the nodes, each node being associated with at least one device;
- generate a network description for a software-defined access network including a node description for each of the plurality of nodes, a first node description including at least one child field defining at least one downstream node relative to a first node, the first node description including a link field indicating a distance between the first node and an upstream node;
- and
- output the network description for use by at least one controller to manage control plane functions for the software-defined network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.