Methods and apparatus for determining a path in a communications network

摘要

Typically paths are provisioned in a network with a margin which allows for component variations and failures in the network and so on. By providing more information about the requirements of the link in a path request, it is possible to more efficiently calculate a route for the path through the network. The efficiency gain allows greater network utilization which in turn saves costs for the network service provider.

主权项

1. A method of provisioning a route across an optical communications network, comprising:
receiving, at a nodal controller, data from a user specifying a service level requirement including one or more parameters for a connection across the optical communications network, wherein the one or more parameters include a parameter relating to longevity of the route and wherein the longevity parameter is used to determine an optical signal margin requirement, determining the optical signal margin requirement on the basis of the one or more parameters, the optical signal margin requirement being the margin that is allowed for degradation of an optical signal carrying data over the connection, determining a route to use for the connection, the route being determined using the determined optical signal margin requirement; provisioning the route across the optical communications network by the nodal controller controlling a switch; and wherein the longevity parameter is used to selectively weight different links in the optical communications network.