Method for discovery and load balancing of path computation elements based on transport plane link metrics
AssigneeCiena Corporation
InventorsJohn K. Oltman, Lyndon Y. Ong
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and system for path computation in a communications network having multiple domains are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method of path computation across multiple domains includes identifying a plurality of border nodes at borders of a plurality of domains, each domain having at least one border node. The method includes providing a path computation element at each of the plurality of border nodes of the domains of the network. The locations of the path computation elements are known to be at the border nodes prior to determining a path in response to a path computation request.
Claims16
A method of path computation across multiple domains in a communication network, the method comprising:
- identifying a plurality of border nodes at interfaces between a plurality of domains, each domain having at least one border node;
- including a path computation element at each of the plurality of border nodes of the domains, such that locations of the path computation elements are known to exist in the plurality of border nodes of the domains prior to an issuing of a path computation request;
- selecting a first path computation element of a first border node based on load balancing criteria between the first border node of a first domain and a third border node of the first domain;
- receiving a path computation request at the first border node of the first domain from a source node, the path computation request specifying the source node and a destination node;
- and
- computing by the path computation element of the first border node a shortest path across the first domain.
A first path computation element of a first border node of a first domain, the first path computation element comprising:
- a memory, the memory storing a location of a second border node of a second domain and storing a location of a third border node of the second domain, the second border node having a second path computation element and the third border node having a third path computation element;
- and
- a processor, the processor:
- receiving a path computation request from one of a source node or a path computation client in the first domain;
- and
- computing, by the first path computation element, a set of least cost paths across the first domain between the first border node and one of:
- the third border node;
- the second border node;
- a destination node of the first domain if the destination node is in the first domain;
- or
- when the destination node is not within the first domain, selecting a path computation element in the second domain based at least in part on at least one load balancing criterion.
A method of determining a path in a communication network, the method comprising:
- identifying a path computation element at each border node of a plurality of domains;
- selecting a second border node of a second domain based on load balancing criteria;
- and
- determining a path between a first border node of a first domain to the second border node of the second domain, the first border node having a first path computation element and the second border node having a second path computation element, wherein a location of the border nodes is advertised by at least one route controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.