System and method for reducing switching overhead in a communication network

Abstract

A system and method for reducing switching overhead in a communication network and a web-based server incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) an optimization engine configured to receive input data describing trunks, switches and traffic demands in at least a portion of the communication network and arrange connections between the trunks and switches such that the traffic demands are satisfied and such that a switch load or cost is reduced and (2) a report generator associated with the optimization engine and configured to produce a report containing a modified configuration having the reduced switch load or cost.

1 . A system for reducing switching overhead in a communication network, comprising:
 an optimization engine configured to receive input data describing trunks, switches and traffic demands in at least a portion of said communication network and arrange connections between said trunks and switches such that said traffic demands are satisfied and such that a switch load or cost is reduced; and   a report generator associated with said optimization engine and configured to produce a report containing a modified configuration having said reduced switch load or cost.   
   
   
       2 . The system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said portion is a switching center of a central office. 
   
   
       3 . The system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said optimization engine is configured to receive input data describing trunks, switches and traffic demands in an entirety of said communication network. 
   
   
       4 . The system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said optimization engine is configured to re-arrange said trunks and switches by swapping pairs of trunks between or among said switches. 
   
   
       5 . The system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said optimization engine is configured to re-arrange said trunks and switches such that said load or said cost are reduced to a feasible minimum. 
   
   
       6 . The system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said optimization engine is further configured to generate transition steps for transitioning to said configuration. 
   
   
       7 . The system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said optimization engine and said report generator are associated with a web-based server. 
   
   
       8 . A method of reducing switching overhead in a communication network, comprising:
 receiving input data describing trunks, switches and traffic demands in at least a portion of said communication network;   arranging connections between said trunks and switches such that said traffic demands are satisfied and such that a switch load or cost is reduced; and   producing a report containing a modified configuration having said reduced switch load or cost.   
   
   
       9 . The method as recited in  claim 8  wherein said portion is a switching center of a central office. 
   
   
       10 . The method as recited in  claim 8  wherein said receiving comprises receiving input data describing trunks, switches and traffic demands in an entirety of said communication network. 
   
   
       11 . The method as recited in  claim 8  wherein said grouping comprises re-arranging said trunks and switches by swapping pairs of trunks between or among said switches. 
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 8  wherein said grouping comprises re-arranging said trunks and switches such that said load or said cost are reduced to a feasible minimum. 
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 8  further comprising generating transition steps for transitioning to said configuration. 
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 8  wherein said receiving, producing and grouping are carried out in a web-based server. 
   
   
       15 . A web-based server for reducing switching overhead in a communication network, comprising:
 a web server configured to provide an interface to a client for receiving input data describing trunks, switches and traffic demands in at least a portion of said communication network;   an optimization engine associated with said web server and configured to receive input data describing trunks, switches and traffic demands in at least a portion of said communication network and arrange connections between said trunks and switches such that said traffic demands are satisfied and such that a switch load or cost is reduced; and   a report generator associated with said optimization engine and configured to produce a report containing a modified configuration having said reduced switch load or cost.   
   
   
       16 . The server as recited in  claim 15  wherein said portion is a switching center of a central office. 
   
   
       17 . The server as recited in  claim 15  wherein said optimization engine is configured to receive input data describing trunks, switches and traffic demands in an entirety of said communication network. 
   
   
       18 . The server as recited in  claim 15  wherein said optimization engine is configured to re-arrange said trunks and switches by swapping pairs of trunks between or among said switches. 
   
   
       19 . The server as recited in  claim 15  wherein said optimization engine is configured to re-arrange said trunks and switches such that said load or said cost are reduced to a feasible minimum. 
   
   
       20 . The server as recited in  claim 15  wherein said optimization engine is further configured to generate transition steps for transitioning to said configuration.