Method and apparatus for supporting connection type partitioning in a communications network

Abstract

A method and apparatus for communicating and utilizing link connection type characteristics in a communications network begins by determining the connection type characteristics for a link within the network. The connection type characteristics preferably include the partitioning of the available bandwidth of the link. The connection type characteristics for the link are advertised to at least one node in the network. The connection type characteristics are then used to perform network functions such as selecting routing paths for new connections. When a change occurs in the link that results in altered connection type characteristics for the link, the altered connection type characteristics are determined and advertised in a similar manner.

1 . A method for communicating link connection type characteristics in a network, comprising: 
 determining connection type characteristics for a link within the network;    advertising the connection type characteristics to at least one node in the network; and    utilizing, by the at least one node, the connection type characteristics for performing a network function.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein utilizing further comprises selecting, by the at least one node, a routing path within the network for a connection based on the connection type characteristics.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprises: 
 detecting a change in the link, wherein the change produces altered connection type characteristics; and    advertising the altered connection type characteristics.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the step of determining the connection type characteristics is performed by a localized node coupled to the link.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein advertising further comprises broadcasting the connection type characteristics to neighboring nodes in the network.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein advertising further comprises broadcasting the connection type characteristics to each node within the network.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 3  further comprises compiling connection type characteristics for a plurality of links within the network to produce a characteristic data set, wherein selecting the routing path further comprises selecting the routing path using the characteristic data set.  
   
   
       8 . A method establishing a connection in a communications network, comprising: 
 receiving a connection request that includes a plurality of parameters, wherein the plurality of parameters includes a receiving party, and a connection type characteristic;    comparing the plurality of parameters with a table that stores network parameters to produce a first routing path to the receiving party, wherein the network parameters include links within the network and corresponding connection type characteristic capabilities for the links; and 
 establishing the connection along the first routing path.  
   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprises: 
 when establishing the connection along the first routing path is unsuccessful:    comparing the plurality of parameters with the table that stores network parameters to produce a second routing path to the receiving party; and    establishing the connection along the second routing path.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  further comprises: 
 when establishing the connection along the first routing path is unsuccessful:    comparing the plurality of parameters with the table that stores network parameters to produce at least a second routing path to the receiving party, wherein the second routing path and any additional routing paths are produced through further comparisons for subsequent rerouting attempts when connections using attempted routing paths are unsuccessful.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein connection type characteristics distinguish between switched virtual connections and soft permanent virtual connections, wherein the connection type characteristic capabilities for the links in the network indicate bandwidth allocation over each link for switched virtual connections and soft permanent virtual connections.  
   
   
       12 . A link characteristic processor comprises: 
 a processing module; and    memory operably coupled to the processing module, wherein the memory includes operating instruction that cause the processing module to: 
 determine connection type characteristics for a link within the network;  
 advertise the connection type characteristics to at least one node in the network, wherein the node utilizes the connection type characteristics for selecting a routing path within the network for a connection.  
   
   
   
       13 . The link characteristic processor of  claim 12  further comprises operating instructions that cause the processing module to: 
 detect a change in the link, wherein the change produces altered connection type characteristics; and    advertise the altered connection type characteristics.    
   
   
       14 . The link characteristic processor of  claim 13 , wherein the processing module is included in a localized node coupled to the link.  
   
   
       15 . The link characteristic processor of  claim 13  further comprises operating instructions that cause the processing module to: 
 advertise the altered connection type characteristics by broadcasting the connection type characteristics to neighboring nodes in the network.    
   
   
       16 . The link characteristic processor of  claim 13  further comprises operating instructions that cause the processing module to: 
 advertise the altered connection type characteristics by broadcasting the connection type characteristics to all nodes in the network.    
   
   
       17 . A connection processor comprises: 
 a processing module; and    memory operably coupled to the processing module, wherein the memory includes operating instruction that cause the processing module to: 
 receive a connection request that includes a plurality of parameters, wherein the plurality of parameters includes a receiving party and a connection type characteristic;  
 compare the plurality of parameters with a table that stores network parameters to produce a first routing path to the receiving party, wherein the network parameters include links within the network and corresponding connection type characteristic capabilities for the links; and  
 establish the connection along the first routing path.  
   
   
   
       18 . The connection processor of  claim 17 , wherein the memory further comprises operating instructions that cause the processing module to: 
 when establishing the connection along the first routing path is unsuccessful:    compare the plurality of parameters with the table that stores network parameters to produce a second routing path to the receiving party; and    establish the connection along the second routing path.    
   
   
       19 . The connection processor of  claim 17 , wherein the memory further comprises operating instructions that cause the processing module to: 
 when establishing the connection along the first routing path is unsuccessful: 
 compare the plurality of parameters with the table that stores network parameters to produce at least a second routing path to the receiving party, wherein the second routing path and any additional routing paths are produced through further comparisons for subsequent rerouting attempts when connections using attempted routing paths are unsuccessful.  
   
   
   
       20 . The connection processor of  claim 17 , wherein the connection type characteristics of the connection request distinguish between a switched virtual connection request and a soft permanent virtual connection request, wherein the connection type characteristic capabilities for the links in the network indicate bandwidth allocation over each link for switched virtual connections and soft permanent virtual connections.