Multi-network architecture

Details Multi-network architecture Multi-network architecture

1997-05-13

1999-09-28

Nguyen, Chau

Multiplex communications

Pathfinding or routing

370410, H04L 1228

Patent

active

059599855

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to the management of digital networks, and more particularly to a multi-network architecture.
A clear trend in networking is for network operators to form consortiums. These consortiums are created as a mechanism to serve customers whose scope of operation is larger than any one network operator. A prime example is Stentor, which was created specifically to offer customers services which are Canada-wide and span the interests of all operating companies within Canada. Perhaps as a consequence of the fact that there are now a large number of network operators, it has become apparent that the ability to provide service management which spans multiple networks is a key requirement.
For example, many network providers are Bell Operating Companies who offer network services to their customers. These customers realize substantial savings by buying networking services from the Bell Operating Companies instead of building their own private networks. For example: networks. physical components that make up the network. always enough bandwidth in the network.
As these networks grow, and the customer base using these networks grows, the service provider is faced with the following factors: single network. are responsible for parts of the overall service offerings.
A multi-network therefore is a network composed of two or more interconnected networks. Individual networks typically span a geographic area. The interconnections or links between the networks can include almost any networking interface type, such as, T1 or E1 circuits.
The issue to be addressed is that end customers have network end-points in more than one network. Currently, a customer desirous of obtaining a connection from say Ottawa to Vancouver must contact his local network service provider, in this case Bell Canada, and request a connection of desired bandwidth to a particular address in Vancouver. Bell Canada must then route the call through to BCtel, for example, using a Newbridge Networks Corporation.RTM. 46020 network manager and advise BCtel that a call is coming in on a certain channel and is destined for a particular customer. BCtel must then use its 46020 network manager to route the incoming call through to the customer. There is no way for the calling customer simply to direct a call through to the called party through a plurality of networks, as is now done in the public telephone network.
From customer's perspective, it would be desirable to see the plurality of networks as a single entity from the point of view of establishing connections as is now the case for users of the switched telephone network where they in essence see all of the world's telephony networks as a single black box.
Even if it were possible to build a single Newbridge Networks Corporation Mainstreet.RTM. 46020 network manager capable of handling the entire world, this would be unacceptable to the myriad network operators. What is required administratively is a network architecture that allows networks to interoperate.
The paper OVERVIEW OF AN INTEGRATED NETWORK MANAGEMENT ARCHITECTURE FOR A LARGE HETEROGENEOUS NETWORK, IEEE 1992 NETWORK OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT SYMPOSIUM, Session 10, paper 3, vol. 2, Apr. 6, 1992, Memphis, US, pages 279-289; J. M. Veroni discloses a multi-network architecture comprising a plurality of different digital networks with a network management associated with each network, a common network management network, a service manager located at each customer premises and customer agents associated with the service managers. The customer agents include a database including management information. This does not, however, provide a solution to the problem outlined above. An object of the invention is to provide such a solution.
A further object of the invention is to provide network services that span more than one network.
According to the present invention there is provided a multi-network architecture comprising a plurality of different digital networks; a network manager associated with each network; a common management netw

REFERENCES:
patent: 5600638 (1997-02-01), Bertin
patent: 5802316 (1998-09-01), Ito

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