Multiple ring support within a single network element
AssigneeCisco Technology, Inc.
InventorsPhilippe Daniel, Paul Elliott, Keith Neuendorff, Phu Le, Xiaopin Nie, Brian Rushka
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A network element receives frames from multiple ring networks. Each ring network linked to the network element is supported by a designated support program. The received frames are monitored for conditions indicative of a failure in one of the ring networks. Upon detection of a failure condition, the designated support program for the failing ring network is determined and notified. The designated support program then addresses the failure condition by, for example, switching to a backup link. In one example, the multiple ring networks are SONET BLSR networks.
Claims29
A network element comprising:
- a first line interface configured to be coupled to a first ring network;
- a second line interface configured to be coupled to a second ring network;
- a cross-connect device coupled to the first line interface and the second line interface, wherein
- the cross-connect device implements a first task and a second task,
- the first task is configured to reroute frames of the first ring network, in response to detection of a failure in the first ring network, and
- the second task is configured to reroute frames of the second ring network, in response to detection of a failure in said second ring network.
A method comprising:
- receiving provisioning information, wherein
- the provisioning information comprises information identifying components of a first ring network and components of a second ring network;
- generating a first ring map, a first squelch table, and a first payload table for a first ring network;
- receiving frames from the first ring network and a second ring network at a single network element;
- implementing a first task, wherein
- the first task reroutes frames of the first ring network, in response to detection of a failure in the first ring network;
- and
- implementing a second task, wherein
- the second task reroutes frames of the second ring network, in response to detection of a failure in the second ring network.
A system comprising:
- means for receiving frames from a first ring network and a second ring network at a single network element;
- means for implementing a first task, wherein
- the first task reroutes frames of the first ring network, in response to detection of a failure in the first ring network;
- and
- means for implementing a second task, wherein
- the second task reroutes frames of the second ring network, in response to detection of a failure in the second ring network.
A computer program product comprising:
- a plurality of instructions, comprising
- a first set of instructions, executable on a computer system, configured to receive provisioning information, wherein
- the provisioning information comprises information identifying components of a first ring network and components of a second ring network,
- a second set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to generate a first ring map, a first squelch table, and a first payload table for a first ring network,
- a third set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to receive frames from the first ring network and a second ring network at a single network element,
- a fourth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to implement a first task, wherein
- the first task reroutes frames of the first ring network, in response to detection of a failure in the first ring network, and
- a fifth set of instructions, executable on said computer system, configured to implement a second task, wherein
- the second task is configured to reroute frames of the second ring network, in response to detection of a failure in the second ring network;
- and
- computer readable storage media, wherein said instructions are encoded in said computer readable storage media.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.