Logical star topologies for non-star networks
US7269177B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 18, 2002 |
| Grant date | Sep 11, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 4, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L12/44
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A logical star architecture imposed on an underlying non-star network, for example a Virtual Path Ring (VPR), enhances a mesh protocol with an automatic method for Virtual Path ID (VPI) generation. The VPIs are used by the mesh protocol's inherent routing function to effect automatic configuration at installation, automatic reconfiguration at node updates, and automatic reconfiguration for protection switching. The imposition of the logical star architecture on a VPR reduces node-to-node switching costs (e.g., delay, as well as memory and processing costs) since all nodes in a logical star topology are at most two logical hops away. The logical star also conserves virtual path address space relative to a fully configured ring. Additionally, the imposition of the logical star architecture allows existing star functions to be deployed on the underlying network. Finally, when the underlying architecture is a ring, the protection advantages of ring networks can be preserved.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.