Representing bandwidth constraints in partially controlled environments

摘要

Disclosed is a network element (NE) comprising a receiver configured to receive a path computation request, a path computation element (PCE) coupled to the receiver and configured to compute a group of network paths through a network of NEs operating in a network stratum in response to the path computation request, wherein each network path comprises one or more physical links, and compute at least one constraint for each physical link, and an abstraction module coupled to the PCE and configured to receive the computed network path set and constraints, compute one or more abstract links that describe the network path group, and compute a constraint for each abstract link based on the physical link constraints.

主权项

1. A network element (NE) comprising:
a receiver configured to receive a path computation request; a path computation element (PCE) coupled to the receiver and configured to:
compute a group of network paths through a network of NEs operating in a network stratum in response to the path computation request, wherein each network path traverses one or more physical links; andcompute at least one constraint for each physical link; and an abstraction module coupled to the PCE and configured to:
receive the computed network path group and constraints;compute one or more abstract links that describe the network path group; andcompute a constraint for each abstract link based on the physical link constraints, wherein the abstract links are abstracted such that each physical link traversed by a common set of paths is abstracted into an abstract link and such that each path decision point is abstracted into an abstract node, wherein computing the abstract links and the constraints comprises:
determining a path set for each physical link positioned along at least one network path, wherein each path set comprises all subsets of any of the network paths that traverse the associated physical link;grouping all physical links associated with an identical path set as contained link groups;determining a path set minimum for each contained link group, wherein the path set minimum indicates the constraint of the physical link that has a minimum constraint of the physical links in the associated contained link group;discarding each contained link group that is associated with a path set that is wholly included in a second contained link group's path set and comprises a path set minimum that is larger than the second contained link group's path set minimum; anddesignating each remaining contained link group as an abstract comprising a constraint equal to the contained link group's path set minimum.