Aggregation network with centralized control

摘要

An access network is described in which a centralized controller provides seamless end-to-end service from a core-facing edge of a service provider network through aggregation and access infrastructure out to access nodes located proximate the subscriber devices. The controller operates to provide a central configuration point for configuring aggregation nodes (AGs) of a network of the service provider so as to provide transport services to transport traffic between access nodes (AXs) and edge routers on opposite borders of the network.

主权项

1. A centralized controller in communication with a plurality of aggregation nodes, edge routers, and access nodes of a network, wherein the centralized controller comprises:
a topology module that executes a software defined networking (SDN) protocol to receive topology information from the edge routers, wherein the topology module receives a plurality of messages flooded by one or more of the access nodes and the aggregation nodes, wherein each respective message of the plurality of messages specifies a respective list of interfaces for the access nodes and the aggregation nodes traversed by the respective message, wherein the centralized controller establishes a respective control channel with each of the aggregation nodes based on the lists of interfaces specified by the messages flooded by the aggregation nodes; and a path computation module (PCM) that computes forwarding information for one or more transport data channels in accordance with the topology information, wherein the transport data channels are for transporting network packets between the access nodes and the edge routers via the aggregation nodes, wherein the centralized controller outputs one or more messages to the aggregation nodes via the respective control channels to communicate and install within each of the aggregation nodes the forwarding information for configuring forwarding planes of the aggregation nodes to forward the network packets on the one or more transport data channels.