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US 5,444,693 AGranted
System for restoration of communications networks
AssigneeAT&T Corp.
InventorsAhmet V. Arslan, James D. Bobeck, Jeffrey A. Gerrish, David E. McDonald
Life of this patent
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AssigneeAT&T Corp.
InventorsAhmet V. Arslan, James D. Bobeck, Jeffrey A. Gerrish, David E. McDonald
Estimating the term…
Difficulties with prior disrupted communications restoration systems are overcome by employing for each node of a communications network a restoration processor in which predetermined functions of the restoration process are managed by respective ones of a plurality of manager modules. The manager modules are arranged to be directly interconnected only with a so-called restoration manager that coordinates the operations of the modules and provides for their interconnection needs. In a preferred embodiment, four manager modules, a) a user interface manager module, b) a digital cross-connect system (DCS) manager module, c) a distributed communications manager module and d) a core algorithm manager module, are interconnected and coordinated by the restoration manager. Additional robustness to the restoration process is provided by way of enhancements to the functionality of the core algorithm manager module. These enhancements include: a) improved glare processing (resolution of contention for a particular resource), b) "broadcast" of takedown messages, c) elimination of the need for time-outs during automatic restoration, d) a "peek ahead" routine that immediately takes down a needed resource that is already on a list to be taken down, e) use of a "minimax factor" and f) a "quick fix" technique for use in cases of limited failure of circuits between two nodes. The restoration process can also be cascaded so that it sequentially restores one level at a time, the levels being defined by the hierarchy of digital transmission rates employed in the network.
A restoration processor associated with at least one digital cross-connect system of a node in a network, said restoration processor being for use in distributed restoration of communications circuits in said network, said restoration processor comprising:
In a restoration processor associated with a node of a network having a plurality of nodes, said restoration processor being for use in distributed restoration of communications circuits in said network, each of said communications circuits having an assigned restoration priority and being comprised of one or more channels, a method for resolving contention at a point by two particular ones of said communications circuits that are contending for the same resource comprising the steps of:
In a restoration processor associated with a particular node of a network having a plurality of nodes, said restoration processor being for use in distributed restoration of communications circuits in said network, the method comprising the steps of:
In a restoration processor associated with a node of a network having a plurality of nodes, said restoration processor being for use in distributed restoration of communications circuits in said network, the method comprising the steps of:
In a restoration processor for use in distributed restoration of a communications circuit, said restoration processor being associated with a first node of a network that includes said first node and a second node, said communications circuit including said first node and said second node, the method comprising the steps of:
A method for use in a restoration processor that performs processing for the purpose of restoring communication circuits through a network that is divided into a hierarchy of levels, the method including the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.