Configuring a path in an optical communications network

摘要

A method of configuring a path between an ingress node and an egress node in an optical communications network, the path comprising a first hop and a subsequent hop. The method includes: a) selecting a candidate hop for the first hop of the path; b) obtaining a value of a signal feasibility parameter for the candidate hop; c) determining whether said value lies within an acceptable value range and if one is, accepting said candidate hop for the first hop of the path, and if one is not, repeating steps a. to c.; d) selecting a candidate hop for the subsequent hop of path; e) obtaining a value of a signal feasibility parameter for a combined path comprising the first hop and the candidate hop for the subsequent hop of the path; f) determining whether said value lies within an acceptable value range, if one is, acceptable value range accepting said candidate hop for the subsequent hop of the path, and if one is not, repeating steps d. and e.; and g) generating and transmitting a control signal for configuring the path. Each step of obtaining a value of a signal feasibility parameter comprises checking whether a measured value of the signal feasibility parameter is available, and if one is, retrieving said measured value and if one is not, calculating an estimated value of the signal feasibility parameter.

主权项

1. A method of configuring a path between an ingress node and an egress node in an optical communications network, the path comprising a first hop and a subsequent hop and the method comprising:
a. selecting a candidate hop for the first hop of the path; b. obtaining a value of a signal feasibility parameter for the candidate hop; c. determining whether said value lies within an acceptable value range and if said value lies within said acceptable value range accepting said candidate hop for the first hop of the path and if said value lies outside said acceptable value range repeating steps a. to c.; d. selecting a candidate hop for the subsequent hop of path; e. obtaining a value of a signal feasibility parameter for a combined path comprising the first hop and the candidate hop for the subsequent hop of the path; f. determining whether said value lies within an acceptable value range and if said value lies within said acceptable value range accepting said candidate hop for the subsequent hop of the path and if said value lies outside said acceptable value range repeating steps d. to f.; and g. generating and transmitting a control signal for configuring the path,
wherein each said step of obtaining a value of a signal feasibility parameter comprises checking whether a measured value of the signal feasibility parameter is available and if a said measured value is available retrieving said measured value and if a said measured value is not available calculating an estimated value of the signal feasibility parameter.