US 7,680,934 B2Granted

Method and apparatus for assigning and allocating network resources to layer 1 virtual private networks

AssigneeNortel Networks Limited

InventorsRaymond Aubin, Malcolm Betts, Stephen Shew

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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.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of assigning and allocating physical network resources to enable Layer 1 Virtual Private Networks (L1-VPNs) to be created within a communication network of the physical network resources, each of the L1-VPNs including dedicated physical network resources which are physically assigned to the L1-VPN and able to be controlled and provisioned for use exclusively within the L1-VPN, the method comprising the steps of:

collecting information about available physical network resources used to implement the communication network;
designating a first subset of the available physical network resources as dedicated L1-VPN resources, the dedicated L1-VPN resources being physical resources on the communication network that are designated as being dedicated to be provisioned and used only within a first L1-VPN, at least a first portion of the dedicated L1-VPN resources being assigned to the first L1-VPN for exclusive use within the first L1-VPN;
designating a second subset of the available physical network resources as shared L1-VPN resources, the shared L1-VPN resources being physical resources on the communication network that are allocated as available to be assigned for use in two or more separate L1-VPNs, at least a first portion of the shared L1-VPN resources being assigned to the first L1-VPN for exclusive use within the first L1-VPN to enable the first portion of the shared L1-VPN resources to be provisioned and used only within the first L1-VPN and at least a second portion of the shared L1-VPN resources being unassigned and able to be assigned to the first L1-VPN or a second L1-VPN for exclusive use within the first L1-VPN or second L1-VPN on demand;
receiving a request associated with the first L1-VPN for network resources;
and
allocating assigned network resources from the first portion of the dedicated L1-VPN resources to fulfill the request;
wherein the step of allocating assigned network resources comprises determining current assignment information for the L1-VPN to determine which network resources have been assigned to the L1-VPN, and allocating network resources to the L1-VPN from the first portion of the dedicated L1-VPN resources if those network resources have not previously been allocated to the L1-VPN.

4 more elements

An apparatus for assigning and allocating physical network resources to enable Layer 1 Virtual Private Networks (L1-VPNs) to be created within a communication network of the physical network resources, each of the L1-VPNs including dedicated physical network resources which are physically assigned to the L1-VPN and able to be controlled and provisioned for use exclusively within the L1-VPN, the apparatus comprising:

a processor containing control logic configured to:
collect information about available physical network resources used to implement the communication network;
designate a first subset of the available physical network resources as dedicated L1-VPN resources, the dedicated L1-VPN resources being physical resources on the communication network that are designated as being dedicated to be provisioned and used only within a first L1-VPN, at least a first portion of the dedicated L1-VPN resources being assigned to the first L1-VPN for exclusive use within the first L1-VPN;
designate a second subset of the available physical network resources as shared L1-VPN resources, the shared L1-VPN resources being physical resources on the communication network that are allocated as available to be assigned for use in two or more separate L1-VPNs, at least a first portion of the shared L1-VPN resources being assigned to the first L1-VPN for exclusive use within the first L1-VPN to enable the first portion of the shared L1-VPN resources to be provisioned and used only within the first L1-VPN and at least a second portion of the shared L1-VPN resources being unassigned and able to be assigned to the first L1-VPN or a second L1-VPN for exclusive use within the first L1-VPN or second L1-VPN on demand;
receive a request associated with the first L1-VPN for network resources;
and
allocate assigned network resources from the first portion of the dedicated L1-VPN resources to fulfill the request;
wherein the step of allocating assigned network resources comprises determining current assignment information for the L1-VPN to determine which network resources have been assigned to the L1-VPN, and allocating network resources to the L1-VPN from the first portion of the dedicated L1-VPN resources if those network resources have not previously been allocated to the L1-VPN.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/810,244Filed 26 Mar 2004
Published: US 2005/0216590 A129 Sep 2005
Granted: 16 Mar 2010
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

H04L 12/4641
Interconnection of networks: virtual LANs, VLANs, e.g. virtual private networks [VPN]
H04L 47/15
Flow control; Congestion control: in relation to multipoint traffic
H04L 47/70
Traffic control in data switching networks: admission control; Resource allocation
H04L 47/72
Admission control; Resource allocation: using reservation actions during connection setup