Method and apparatus for ensuring survivability of inter-ring traffic
US6658013B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 23, 1999 |
| Grant date | Dec 2, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 23, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W88/16
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and corresponding network element configuration for delivering communications services between first and second survivable rings, each comprising a respective plurality of network elements, at least two of which are common to both rings. For each particular service, one of the common network elements is designated as a primary gateway node and another as a secondary gateway node. A primary inter-ring connection is established for the particular service by a switch at the primary gateway node, but no inter-ring connection is established at the secondary gateway node. The secondary gateway node comprises a controller for monitoring the status of the primary gateway node and establishing a new inter-ring connection for delivery of said service upon detecting a failure of the primary gateway node. This provides survivable inter-ring traffic which is bandwidth-efficient and with a low switching delay.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.